CJ Generol and Mav Mesina delivered standout performances as their respective teams secured crucial victories in the Milcu Sports Got Skills Basketball U16 Talent ID Program on Wednesday at the Greenhills West Clubhouse in San Juan.
Generol did it all for Bukidnon-Stars Basketball Academy, leading his team to a thrilling 68-66 win over NCR-Passion Sports. The 5-foot-4 floor general exploded for 25 points, seven assists, six steals, and two rebounds, lifting Bukidnon to a 2-1 record in Group A while keeping NCR-Passion Sports winless at 0-3.
With the game tied at 64-all in the dying moments, Rance Mandong came through with a putback layup off a missed three-pointer from Niño Gantuangco, giving Bukidnon a two-point edge with 1:53 left. The 15-year-old Generol then delivered the dagger, converting a tough layup over a taller defender to push the lead to 69-64 in the final 47 seconds.
NCR-Passion Sports had a chance to trim the deficit, but Lera Urea missed a crucial free throw on a three-point play attempt. Gantuangco also stepped up with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Mandong and Jairus Ramos each contributed six markers.
(C) Julius Domondon/Milcu Sports
In another Group A matchup, Cavite handed Leyte its first loss with a 66-59 win behind a balanced attack. Alianne Guance led the charge with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while team captain DJ Marasigan added 12 points and four assists. Both teams now hold identical 2-1 records.
Meanwhile, in Group B, Pampanga-Big Dreams Ballers secured an outright quarterfinals berth after a 65-57 win against Bulacan. Ivan Lacsina and Kierdy Victoria led Pampanga with 10 points apiece, with Victoria also tallying eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals, completing a perfect 3-0 elimination round campaign. Bulacan (1-2) will now face NCR-More Than Just Hoops Academy in a playoff for a quarterfinal spot.
Earlier, NCR-MTJH eliminated Pangasinan with a dominant 72-54 victory, powered by Prince Cariño and Liam Macapagal, who posted 17 and 12 points, respectively.
(C) Julius Domondon/Milcu Sports
Over in Group C, Mav Mesina torched the nets from downtown to guide an undermanned NCR-SGAxLGR to a commanding 75-62 victory over NCR-JHOOP. The 5-foot-9 shooter from the University of the East drilled four triples en route to a 17-point performance, along with five assists, three rebounds, and two steals, helping NCR-SGAxLGR punch an outright quarterfinals ticket with a clean 3-0 slate.
SGAxLGR broke the game wide open in the third quarter, turning a 41-29 halftime lead into a 53-33 cushion with a blistering 12-4 run. Kiefer Panganiban then buried a corner three-pointer, giving his team a commanding 66-40 lead with 47 seconds left in the period. Jolo Pascual and Panganiban provided ample support, finishing with 14 and 11 points, respectively, with Pascual also recording eight steals, four assists, and four rebounds.
With the loss, NCR-JHOOP (2-1) will now have to battle Cebu in a playoff for a quarterfinal berth. Muntinlupa also kept its title hopes alive with a dominant 78-50 rout of Laguna, thanks to the quartet of John Dave Mindanao, Max Romero, CJ Cordon, and Sam Esomchi. Mindanao, 14, paced the squad with 16 points, while Romero, Cordon, and Esomchi combined for 36 markers.
In Group D, Cebu pulled off a nail-biting 59-58 upset against the surging NCR-Safestep, while Bacolod secured a 61-49 victory over the winless Ilocos, intensifying the race for playoff spots in the tournament.
