ADVEN Jess Diputado exploded for 35 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Batch 2012-Harley Davidson to a 90-87 victory over Batch 2004-The Win in Game 1 of their Division B semifinal series in the ongoing Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (Shaabaa) last Sunday, July 20, at the Magis Eagles Arena in Mandaue City.
It was a tight contest with 12 lead-changes and 10 deadlocks. Batch 2012 now needs only one more victory to secure a spot in the best-of-three finals.
Diputado also dished out seven assists and had one steal in his standout performance. He was backed by Mavii Suarez, who scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Julius Cadavis, who added 12 points and six boards.
For the losing Batch 2004, Ervin Lopera scored 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Gino Paolo Reyes (18 points, 13 rebounds) and Kyle Valmoria (10 points, 10 rebounds) both posted double-double performances.
Batch 2004 started with a 4-0 run, but Batch 2012 roared back midway through the first quarter to seize a 27-17 lead at the end of the period and a 50-41 advantage by halftime.
In the final minutes of the fourth quarter, Batch 2004 suddenly dropped an 11-0 bomb to narrow down the gap to 82-85. But that proved to be their last gasp as they ran out of time.
In the other Division B semifinal match, Batch 2010-ZLREJ Trading and Construction Corporation defeated Batch 2005-Insular Square, 61-53.
Batch 2010 relied on Jasper Diaz, who tallied 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Gabe Branzuela chipped in 11 points and eight boards.
Elddie Cabahug led Batch 2005 with 26 points and Daryle Tan contributed 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Over in Division C, Batch 2013-Nets Workspaces demolished Batch 2023-Kaway, 82-47, in a knockout match to complete the four-team semifinal cast.
Rebounding from their Game 1 loss, Batch 2013 relied on Emman Malazarte, Fletcher Galvez, Arc Araw-Araw, Rendell Senining, and Jorine Cercardo, who all scored in double digits. For Batch 2023, Philip Brandon Sainz scored 19 points.
Batch 2015-Imperial House of Furniture also won against Batch 2021-FADI, 69-58, at the start of their best-of-three series.
Anton NiƱo Araw-Araw led Batch 2015 with 22 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Batch 2021 got 21 points from Virgil Maynard Uy and 13 from Brandon Largo. / JBM