Batangas reaches MPBL South finals

MANILA, Philippines — Batangas City-Embassy Chill escaped with a 66-62 win in Game 3 over the visiting General Santos City to march on to the South Division finals of the MPBL last Tuesday at the Batangas City Coliseum.

In front of more than 5,000 fans including MPBL founder Manny Pacquiao, the home team leaned on King Importante’s game-saving block and Cedric Ablaza’s insurance free throws for the gutsy semifinal win that catapulted them back to the division finals.

Levi Hernandez showed the way with 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.

Batangas, the inaugural MPBL champion, will face No. 1 seed Bacoor, which swept last season’s runner-up Zamboanga in the other semis bracket, in the best-of-three South finale.

Top-seeded Pampanga and No. 4 seed San Juan are in the North finals.

“Very exciting games,” said Pacquiao.