521 Trading Inc., Purewell Artesian Purified Water and JPC Gas Station fashioned out contrasting victories over their respective rivals to clinch semifinals berths in the 2023 Vantage Basketball Invitational Tournament at the Imelda Cultural Center in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.

521 Trading Inc. subdued Shawin Konstrack, 104-97, to extend its winning streak to five games and advance to the best-of-three semifinals in this tournament organized by Ronald Yapo’s Vantage Hog Feeds in cooperation with the City goverment of Batac under Mayor Albert D. Chua.

521 Trading, which is being personally managed by businessman-sportsman Teddy Javines and brother McJason Javines, leaned on the hot hands of Clint Salvoro Escamis and Paolo Jose Hernandez in the second half to eliminate Shawin.

Escamis scattered a game-high 33 points, including seven three-pointers while Hernandez added 27 points for 521 Trading, which will face Purewell Artesian Purified Water in the semis on Monday.

Jopet Soriano, Toby Bryan Agustin and team captain Warren Bonifacio also played welll for 521 Trading to frustrate Shawin’s last-ditch rally.

Soriano added 17 points while Agustin and Bonifacio had 11 points apiece for 521, which is supported by IGWT-Jav Construction and Development Corporation.

Assisting Javines are coaches Gilbert Isla, Louie Leyva, Noel Rosario, Eliseo Fernandez, Jhon Dember DelaSerna and Carlito Martinez and team manager Dayne Paranes.

Purewell Artesian defeated Dezign Works, 78-68, while JPC Gas won by default against NXT LVL to join 521 Trading in semis.

JPC Gas will wait for the winner between Ariannas Place and Samahan Kalasag.

Arianas Place stunned Samahan Kalasag, 107-92, in their quarterfinal game to force a do-or-die match for the last semis spot.

Samahan Kalasag holds a twice to beat advantage.

521 Trading. which is also being supported by Two Sister’s Bakery and 521 Guns Store, won over defeated Arianas Place (93-82), Purewell (83-73), RQC (109-80) and NXT LVL (103-71) for a fou-r game sweep of elimination.

The top two teams in the semis will dispute the title in a best-of-three finals. AA