Batang Tiaong has unfinished business in the Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM Supermalls—and they just made sure they’re still pursuing it.
The representatives of Quezon Province’s 1st and 2nd Districts wasted no time taking care of business in the 2024 South Luzon Regional Championship (RC), going unbeaten through four games in Lucena City. The latest one was an 85-77 triumph over Laguna’s Team Los Baños.
In the process, they’ve secured a semifinals slot in the tournament hosted by the Provincial Government of Quezon, Rep. ‘Atorni’ Mike Tan, and Gov. ‘Doktora’ Helen Ten.
As one of #MadnessInLucena’s top four teams out of a 16-strong field, Batang Tiaong is making their way back to the Philippine basketball under-19 championship.
Here, they’ll aim to improve on a quarterfinals finish a year ago.
While in the previous edition, they were led by La Salle-commit Vhoris Marasigan, this time they’ll rely on Renz Apor and Mowell Morales.
Joining the Quezonians in the South Luzon RC semifinals on Sunday are Albay’s One Media TV48-Naga and Dasmariñas, Cavite’s St. Jude College (SJC), and Philippine Christian University (PCU). One Media TV48, led by Joseph Palaje and James Nuada, secured a 77-72 victory against Amando Cope College (Camarines Sur).
Stanley Gicoso and Lexel Aguilo carried SJC over John-Nette Banana Chips-Pinamalayan (Mindoro) with a score of 90-83.
Meanwhile, PCU-Dasma, behind John Catayong, Jay Divinagracia, and Lauro Pronda, maintained their flawless record with a hard-fought 99-95 double-overtime win against University of Perpetual Help-Laguna Agui.
In addition to South Luzon’s four qualifiers, North Luzon’s Yengskivel Sportswear (CAMANAVA), Philippine College of Science and Technology-Calasiao (Pangasinan), Pampanga Lanterns, and 1 San Rafael (Bulacan); Mindanao’s Toyomoto Auto Supply and Bullet Customs Brokerage-Prime Bistro (Davao), Xavier-Ateneo de Cagayan-Sealcor, and Notre Dame of Midsayap (SOCCSKSARGEN); and Visayas’ Khalifa (Cebu), UNBL-Don Bosco (Dumaguete), Trinity-Davies Paint/El Tzino (Central Negros), and St. Roberts International Academy-Elite Lab (Iloilo) are bound for the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The UAAP and NCAA’s finalists, along with 10 squads from the NBTC’s Global Partners in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as two more wildcard teams, will also be part of #MadnessInMOA from Mar. 18-24.
