Kieffer Alas and Phenom Blue Fire, along with the Arellano Braves, secured the final two spots in the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals after their victories in the Wildcard Finals on Sunday at Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong City.
Alas, the top-ranked high school player in the country, played the role of facilitator in Phenom Blue Fire’s dominant 107-85 win over Fil-Am Nation San Francisco in the first Wildcard Final.
He finished with seven points, seven assists, and two rebounds, allowing his teammates to shine. Matthew Jucom led the charge with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Most Outstanding Player Bonn Daja added 17 points and five boards to seal the win.
(C) NBTC
Meanwhile, the Arellano Braves pulled off a gritty 77-76 victory against the UE Junior Warriors in the other Wildcard Final.
Aaron Manansala paced the Braves with 15 points, while Most Outstanding Player John Ray Ladica contributed 14 points — including two three-pointers — along with four assists. John Denver Baluyot added 10 points and six rebounds in the hard-fought triumph.
With these results, the 32-team field is now complete for the Philippine National U-19 Championship, presented by SM Supermalls and Playtime Cares, which kicks off on Monday.
Leading the competition are UAAP champion UST Tiger Cubs, runner-up NU Nazareth School Bullpups, defending NCAA champion Letran Squires, and perennial contender FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws. They are joined by 16 regional qualifiers and 10 global teams.
Defending NBTC Division 1 champion Fil-Am Nation Select and Division 2 titlist Top Flight Hoops Canada will face off in the Burlington Seeding Round on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The eight other global teams will battle for positioning in the single-knockout tournament, which is also backed by MNL Kingpin, Molten, Pocari Sweat, Swish, and Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things.
