NBTC: Nueva Ecija stuns Letran, advances to Division 1

HEADLINES:
|

ADVERTISEMENT

HEADLINES:
|
dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

NBTC: Nueva Ecija stuns Letran, advances to Division 1

ABS-CBN News

Clipboard

i-ACHIEVERS Modern College of Nueva Ecija celebrates after making it to Division 1 of the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals, April 1, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Handout/NBTCi-ACHIEVERS Modern College of Nueva Ecija celebrates after making it to Division 1 of the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals, April 1, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Handout/NBTC

MANILA -- i-ACHIEVERS Modern College earned its ticket to Division 1 after outlasting the Letran Squires, 58-53, in the round of 32 in the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals, 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. Cristobal then took matters into his own hands, drilling a clutch three-pointer with 49 seconds 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. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Sam Baluyot scattered 17 points while Charles Vitor 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 big fourth quarter to pull away for an 88-78 win against DPR Aviation College. Koji Buenaflor led the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Carl Manding had 14 points.

ADVERTISEMENT

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, 81-57, behind Mac Alfanta’s 15 points while FEU-D escaped Toyland Bistro, 69-62, with Cabs Cabonilas uncorking a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds. 

Meanwhile, Letran advanced to Division 1 as Axel Mendoza and Chris Dy delivered 17 and 14 points in their 86-77 win over LCC-Bacolod El Tzino Davies. 

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 down Crossover Canada for a 71-58 victory, while 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. 

ADVERTISEMENT

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 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.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.