Reinhard Jumamoy. NBTC PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—National University-Nazareth School won its fourth 2023 Smart-NBTC National Finals after zooming past FilNation Select-USA, 75-64, in the Finals of Division 1 at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
After a neck-and-neck first three quarters, the Bullpups went on a late fourth quarter surge to pull away from USA behind the heroics of Reinhard Jumamoy.
“We did not even think that this would be our fourth [title.] I just told the boys to treat this game like Gilas vs USA. That was the fire that I used for them to get going in this game,” coach Kevin de Castro said.
“We’re blessed because somehow, we have a player like Reinhard who can lead the team. We went through defeats in the UAAP, we got one here in the NBTC and hopefully, he brings it in college.”
Jumamoy, who has already committed to the Bulldogs under coach Jeff Napa for Season 86, powered NU to the victory with a triple-double performance of 16 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists with five steals to boot.
His stellar performance in the NBTC and in the finals earned him the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award.
With the score tied at 63-all in the fourth quarter, Sean Timbang and Reignheart Colonia gave NU a 67-63 cushion with 2:40 minutes remaining. Colonia led his team with 23 points.
Jumamoy made a nifty layup to clinch the game, 70-63, with 1:58 remaining.
Jason Mandaquit Jr. paced USA with 16 points and six boards in the loss while Evan Bayla captured a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards.
Sean Alter, the latest University of the Philippines recruit, finished six points for FilNation.