521 Trading Inc. and JPC Gas Station overcame their respective opponents to gain the headstart in their best-of-three semifinals in the 2023 Vantage Basketball Invitational Tournament at the Imelda Cultural Center in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.

521 Trading rode on the hot hands of Clint Salvoro Escamis, Warren Diaz Bonifacio, Joaquin Enrico Garcia and John Kobe Dalisay to demolish Purewell Artesian Purified Water, 101-82, and continue its winning streak to six games.

Later, JPC downed Arianna’s Place, 87-81, behind John Mendoza ‘s 24 points.

521 Trading and JPC Gas remained undefeated in this prestigious tournament organized by Ronald Yapo’s Vantage Hog Feeds in cooperation with the city goverment of Batac, headed by Mayor Albert D. Chua.

521 Trading, which is being personally handled by businessman-sportsman Teddy Javines and brothers McJason and Monzour Javines, needs only to beat Purewell in game two to advance to the finals.

Escamis, one of the more dependable scorers in the tournament, fired 24 points.

Bonifacio added 16 points, Garcia contributed 14 points, including four straight three pointers and Dalisay had 12 points for 521 Trading. which is being supported by IGWT-Jav Construction.

Development Corporation, Two Sister’s Bakery and 521 Gun Store.

It was 521’s second win against the African import reinforced- Purewell in the tournament as they also beat Purewell, 83-73, in the elimination.

Assisting Javines on bench are coaches Gilbert Isla, Eric Lucero, Noel Rosario, Eliseo Fernandez, Dember Dela Serna and Marcus Angelo Agtani and team managers Dayne Paranes and Nelson Isla.

Toby Bryan Agustin, Paolo Jose Hernandez and Jopet Soriano finished with a combined score of 25 points for 521 Trading.

Actually, 521 Trading swept the elimination round by defeating Ariannas Place 93-82, Purewell Artesian Water, 83-73, RQC 109-80 and NXT LVL, 103-71.

Their fifth win came at the expense of t Shawin Konstrack 104-97. in the cross over quarterfinals.

The top two teams in the semifinals will battle in another best-of-three finals. AA