i-ACHIEVERS Modern College earned its hard-earned ticket to the Division 1 after outlasting Letran Squires in a 58-53 victory in the Pocari Sweat Super 32 in the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM Supermalls Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
John Cristobal spearheaded the North Luzon Regional Wildcard with 16 points alongside Lance Tangalin, who had 11.
Nueva Ecija led by as many as 15 before Letran regrouped to eke out a 50-all deadlock in the final canto, not long before Cristobal took matters in his own hands and drew a triple with 49 ticks left.
“Last year nakasama kami sa Ilocos, sa Regionals, pero ‘di po kami pinalad. Kaya ngayon talagang ine-enjoy namin yung every moment,” said head coach Jean Paul Cabigao.
Sam Baluyot scattered 17 points while getting ample help from Charles Vitor, who had 10 for the Squires, who will now be relegated to Division 2.
Joining Nueva Ecija in the winners’ bracket are the USPF Baby Panthers, which escaped reigning Division 2 champions Top Flight Sports Canada, 77-71, behind the heroics of Luke Brent Dy (17) and Sean Chavez (14).
Fil-Am Nation Select, for its part, continued to ride high after a 30-point crushing of SJCDC Thaddeans Cavite, 97-67, in the Philippine national 19-under championship presented by SM Supermalls and Playtime Cares.
Angelino Mark shone once again for the Fil-Ams with 31 points while Hunter Marumoto added 15 markers of his own.
Newly-crowned UAAP kings UST Tiger Cubs leaned on a heavy fourth-quarter breakaway to stamp their class on DPR Aviation College in an 88-78 victory while leaning on the efforts of Koji Buenaflor’s 19-point, 10-rebound outing and Carl Manding’s 14 points.
NU Nazareth Bullpups and Far Eastern University-Diliman join UST in the Division 1 of the grassroots program also sponsored by MNL Kingpin, Molten, Pocari Sweat, Burlington, Swish, and Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things.
NUNS dominated Uncle Drew Cavite in an 81-57 tussle behind Mac Alfanta’s 15 points while FEU-D escaped Toyland Bistro, 69-62, with Cabs Cabonilas uncorking a double-double outing of 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Contrary to Letran, an NCAA school, Arellano cashed in on their luck and will be going to Division 1 as Axel Mendoza and Chris Dy delivered 17 and 14 points for their 86-77 win over LCC-Bacolod El Tzino Davies.
Meanwhile, NBTC top-ranked player Kieffer Alas’ 16 points and five rebounds powered Phenom Blue Fire straight to Division 1 after a 79-66 win over AGCCI Davao.
Visayas champions Team Khalifa Cebu leaned on Johncel Borjal (13) and John Noynay (11) to seize Crossover Canada for a 71-58 victory as South Luzon champions Chrisveil Sports N. Cavite handed Homegrown Australia a 35-point rout, 71-36, behind John Rey Villare and Raphael Artiga, who delivered 14 points apiece.
Wrapping up the Division 1 cast are Notre Dame of Midsayap Rams after surviving Fil-Euro Nation Select, 68-63; Sequoia Hotel Team NZ, which toppled USJR Jaguar Cubs, 68-59;
Fil-Am Sports USA, which overwhelmed EZ Jersey-Doc Boleros, 77-66; Jazzville Sports Middle East, which seized Luid Kapampangan, 65-54; and Momsie’s Kitchenette Laguna after capturing Proudly Pinoy Filcom Italy, 65-55.
While the winners advance to Division 1, the losers will battle it out for the Division 2 championship in the Molten Supreme 16 round on Tuesday.
The post Nueva Ecija topples Letran, secures ticket to NBTC National Finals Division 1 first appeared on Fastbreak.
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