The Batangas Tanduay Athletics kept their perfect start intact, pulling away late to secure an 85–75 victory over the Bulacan Kuyas in a game that saw early dominance, a midgame scare, and a composed finish.
Batangas came out firing in the opening quarter, unloading a 35-point explosion that immediately put Bulacan on the back foot. Crisp ball movement and efficient shooting powered the surge, with multiple players contributing early to build a commanding lead.
However, Bulacan refused to fold. Behind a more aggressive second and third quarter push, the Kuyas clawed back into contention. They outscored Batangas 50–31 across those two periods, fueled by the scoring of Herold Benedictos and Mico Dizon, who combined for 36 points. Their effort trimmed what was once a massive deficit into a manageable gap entering the fourth.
But just as momentum seemed to swing, Batangas steadied itself. Wendelino Comboy III provided a huge lift off the bench with 16 points, including four triples, while Jhan Nermal added a well-rounded 12-point, 8-rebound outing. The Athletics tightened their defense and executed better down the stretch, holding Bulacan to just 15 points in the final frame to seal the win.
Balanced scoring proved to be Batangas’ edge, with seven players scoring at least five points. Their ability to respond to Bulacan’s run underscored their composure and depth—qualities that now have them sitting at 2–0 early in the campaign.
On the other side, Bulacan drops to 1–1 despite strong individual performances. Outside of their top scorers, consistency remained an issue, particularly from their starters, who struggled with shooting efficiency. Batangas will look to carry its momentum forward, while Bulacan aims to regroup and rediscover its rhythm in the next outing
Batangas (85): Comboy III 16, Yambing 15, Nermal 12, Ablaza 11, Villoria 10, Isit 5, Apinan 5, Sawat 5, Cruz 4, Ambulodto 2, Arim 0, Oliva III 0, Olayon 0, Ochea 0, Importante 0, Grospe 0
Bulacan (75): Benedictos 20, Dizon 16, Castillo 11, Acop 8, Limpo 6, Montalvo 5, Garcia 3, Espinosa 2, Gonzales 2, Rupinta 2, Ibe 0, Acop 0, De Leon 0