The Toyomoto Auto Supply squad. Handout/NBTC. 

MANILA -- Toyomoto Auto Supply never took its foot off the gas en route to winning the first-ever NBTC Mindanao Regional Championship (RC).

The Davaoeños completed an unbeaten run in the tournament on Sunday at the Sarangani Capitol Gym with a come-from-behind 87-85 triumph against Xavier-Ateneo de Cagayan University-Sealcor in the final.

Andre Lumanag led the way for Toyomoto Auto Supply and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Regional Championship. Reserve guard Norman Cagampang saved the day for them, drilling the go-ahead three-pointer with 0.7 left on the clock.

The Kingfishers had an 85-82 lead with just 32 seconds left but could not execute down the stretch as Davao City completed the comeback, capped by Cagampang's clutch three-pointer. The guard was also fouled in the process, but purposely missed the free throw to let the clock run out.

Meanwhile, Bullet Customs Brokerage-Prime Bistro -- another team from Davao City -- claimed the bronze medal by virtue of a stronger win-loss record than fourth-placer Notre Dame of Midsayap.

The Mindanao RC Final Four now turn their attention to the 2024 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM Supermalls from March 18-24 at SM Mall of Asia Arena. 

They will be joined by 12 other regional qualifiers; the UAAP and NCAA's finalists; 10 squads from the NBTC's Global Partners in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand; and two more wildcard teams who will duke it out in the Philippine under-19 basketball championship.

"Just like North Luzon, we saw here in Mindanao na andami pa rin talagang promising na bata all over the Philippines. We're just honored na makapagbigay tayo ng stage for them to showcase their talents all the way to Mall of Asia Arena," said NBTC program director Eric Altamirano.