Two teams will strive to make Davao City proud in the 2024 Smart-NBTC National Finals, presented by SM Supermalls, after Bullet Customs Brokerage-Prime Bistro and Toyomoto Auto Supply advanced to the semifinals of the Mindanao Regional Championship (RC).
Bullet Customs Brokerage-Prime Bistro dominated the pool phase and swiftly defeated Agusan’s El Kids Esperanza in the quarterfinals with a score of 82-58.
Similarly, Toyomoto Auto Supply asserted its dominance in the group stage and then defeated Cor Jesu College x El Granjero of Digos, 79-68.
Bullet Customs Brokerage-Prime Bistro will continue to rely on Keith Francis Marquez, while Andre Lumanag will continue to lead Toyomoto Auto Supply.
The remaining four teams will compete in the semifinals and then the final on Sunday at Sarangani Capitol Gym. Nevertheless, they have already secured spots in the National Finals by emerging as the best in Mindanao’s 16-team field.
Completing the Final Four are SOCCSKSARGEN representative Notre Dame of Midsayap and Xavier-Ateneo de Cagayan-Sealcor, who outperformed Breakthrough Basketball (Tagum) and Team Harbor Pilot Sports (Misamis Occidental), respectively.
Jeffrey Malacapag shone for the NDMC Rams with an 85-77 triumph, while the Xavier-AdCU-Sealcor Kingfishers relied on Vince Acut and Elihu Alcover for an 88-83 victory.
Notre Dame, Bullet Customs Brokerage-Prime Bistro, Toyomoto Auto Supply, and Xavier-AdCU-Sealcor will join North Luzon qualifiers Yengskivel Sportswear (CAMANAVA), Philippine College of Science and Technology-Calasiao (Pangasinan), Pampanga Lanterns, and 1 San Rafael (Bulacan).
They await eight other regional qualifiers, along with the finalists from UAAP and NCAA, 10 squads from NBTC’s Global Partners in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and two wildcard teams in the National Finals from Mar. 18-24.
Following the conclusion of the Mindanao RC hosted by Sarangani Province and Gov. Ruel Pacquiao, the Visayas RC in Bacolod City (Feb. 16-18) and South Luzon RC in Lucena City (Mar. 1-3) will follow suit.
