FilNation begins NBTC National Finals run with big win, 11 other teams move to Division 1
FilNation Select USA in the Smart-NBTC National Finals. –NBTC PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—FilNation Select USA started its 2023 Smart-NBTC National Finals stint in a huge way after routing Camanava-NCR’s Doc Boleros, 116-60, at Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
The tandem of Evan Bayla and Jason Mandquit Jr combined for 31 points to lead FilNation’s runaway win over Doc Boleros.
The win sent FilNation to Division 1 while Camanava-NCR was relegated to Division 2 following the loss.
Much like the Select USA team, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Landmasters also punched its ticket to the first division after a 99-54 blowout over Rome Elite-Italy.
Raffy Celis nearly tallied a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds while top-ranked high school player Jared Bahay finished with seven points, five assists, four steals, and three rebounds
Defending champion National University-Nazareth School routed Philippine Christian University-Cavite, 93-68.
Reinhard Jumamoy, the third-ranked high school baller of the NBTC, played an all-around game of 17 markers, 10 boards, five dimes and three steals.
James Pesigan and Adrian Reves scored 13 each in the loss for Cavite.
UST squeaked by Team Tarlac, 66-62, to also get a Division 1 ticket at One-EComm Center with Mark Llemit leading the Tiger Cubs with 13 markers while James Jumao-as helped the cause with 12 of his own.
Winnipeg, on the other hand, zoomed past Team United-USA, 86-72, behind Lorence Dela Cruz’s heroics.
Dela Cruz, who is an NBTC All-Star and future Slam Dunk contest participant, finished with 22 points and eight boards.
Fellow Canadian squad Toronto demolished St. Benilde International School, 83-63.
Gabriel Obusan was a rebound away from a double-double outing but still came away with 18 markers and nine boards to go along with five dimes.
Raffy Celis of SHS-Ateneo in the Smart-NBTC National Finals. –NBTC PHOTO
Batang Tiaong had arguably the biggest upset of the day, defeating fourth seed Ateneo, 64-41.
John Rex Villanueva led the blowout with 21 markers built on seven triples. John Mowell Morales also came up with 16 points and seven rebounds in the victory.
In other results, Pinoy Mavs-New Zealand squeaked past Holy Trinity, 83-79, behind Andre Salomon’s monster game while Level Up Team Ambro-Davao dumped University of Luzon-Dagupan, 111-74.
Salomon finished with a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds while Val Mercado scattered 20 on a highly-efficient 48 percent clip.
Six players scored in double figures for Davao, namely: Ping Xian-Yee with 16, Robert Morado II with 15, Daryl Acero and Patrick Torejas with 14, Norman Cagampang with 12 and Karlo Estomo with 10.
The Dubai Patriots dealt University of Batangas a 66-65 loss while Mapua also moved on to Division 1 after reigning over Royal Trading Star-Don Bosco, 92-85.
Joseph Degullado led Dubai Patriots markers built on two triples while Brent Leynes finished with 19 markers on a losing effort for University of Batangas before being taken out of the game due to a bad fall.
Meanwhile, Jonalance Masiglat balled out with 21 big points on a blistering 82 percent shooting clip for the Red Robins.
In the nightcap, Pampanga Delta notched an 84-81 over Homegrown Australia, in a tightly contested ballgame.
Rhyle Melencio finished the game with a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds while Kaden Puletua also finished with a near double-double of 18 markers and nine boards.
Losers of the Super 24 were relegated to Division 2, but will still play in the Magic 12 round-robin phase in the next two days.
