i-ACHIEVERS Modern College punched its ticket to Division 1 after outlasting the Letran Squires, 58-53, in the Pocari Sweat Super 32 of the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM Supermalls on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
John Cristobal led the North Luzon Regional Wildcard team with 16 points, while Lance Tangalin added 11.
i-ACHIEVERS built a commanding 15-point lead, but Letran clawed back to force a 50-all deadlock in the final quarter.
With 49 seconds remaining, Cristobal took matters into his own hands and drained a clutch three-pointer to seal the victory.
“Last year, we made it to the Ilocos Regionals but fell short. That’s why we’re really savoring every moment this time,” said i-ACHIEVERS head coach Jean Paul Cabigao.
Sam Baluyot led Letran with 17 points, while Charles Vitor chipped in 10. With the loss, the Squires are relegated to Division 2.
Joining i-ACHIEVERS in the winners’ bracket are the USPF Baby Panthers, who edged reigning Division 2 champions Top Flight Sports Canada, 77-71, thanks to stellar performances from Luke Brent Dy (17 points) and Sean Chavez (14 points).
Fil-Am Nation Select continued its dominant run with a 97-67 blowout win over SJCDC Thaddeans Cavite in the Philippine National 19-under Championship, presented by SM Supermalls and Playtime Cares. Angelino Mark once again shone for the Fil-Ams, dropping 31 points, while Hunter Marumoto contributed 15.
Meanwhile, newly crowned UAAP champions UST Tiger Cubs pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat DPR Aviation College, 88-78. Koji Buenaflor delivered a double-double performance with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Carl Manding added 14 points.
Joining UST in Division 1 are the NU Nazareth Bullpups and the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws. NU dominated Uncle Drew Cavite, 81-57, behind Mac Alfanta’s 15-point effort, while FEU-D escaped Toyland Bistro, 69-62, with Cabs Cabonilas recording a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds.
In contrast to Letran’s fate, NCAA school Arellano secured its spot in Division 1, thanks to Axel Mendoza and Chris Dy, who scored 17 and 14 points, respectively, in an 86-77 triumph over LCC-Bacolod El Tzino Davies.
NBTC top-ranked player Kieffer Alas showcased his talent, tallying 16 points and five rebounds to power Phenom Blue Fire past AGCCI Davao, 79-66, and into Division 1.
Visayas champions Team Khalifa Cebu leaned on Johncel Borjal (13 points) and John Noynay (11 points) to take down Crossover Canada, 71-58. Meanwhile, South Luzon champions Chrisveil Sports N. Cavite dominated Homegrown Australia with a resounding 71-36 victory, led by John Rey Villare and Raphael Artiga, who scored 14 points each.
Rounding out the Division 1 cast are Notre Dame of Midsayap Rams, who survived Fil-Euro Nation Select, 68-63; Sequoia Hotel Team NZ, which defeated USJR Jaguar Cubs, 68-59; Fil-Am Sports USA, which overpowered EZ Jersey-Doc Boleros, 77-66; Jazzville Sports Middle East, which bested Luid Kapampangan, 65-54; and Momsie’s Kitchenette Laguna, which took down Proudly Pinoy Filcom Italy, 65-55.
While the winners advance to Division 1, the losing teams will battle for the Division 2 championship in the Molten Supreme 16 round on Tuesday.
