Cebu’s Khalifa University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) emerged as victors in the most competitive NBTC Regional Championship (RC) thus far.
Once again, relying on a total team effort that fueled their perfect run, the Jaguars defeated St. Roberts International College (SRIC)-Elite Lab of Iloilo, 62-57, in the final of the 2024 NBTC Visayas RC on Sunday at Willy and Nolita Au Court inside Bacolod Tay Tung High School.
Trailing by double-digits early on, the entry of Peter Peteros energized Khalifa-USJ-R in the second-quarter tear that put them on top, 32-29, at halftime.
He was then backed by John Nethan Dela Torre as they increased their lead to nine, 53-44 entering the final frame.
SRIC-Elite Lab closed in, coming within one at 52-53 inside the last five minutes before Jan Vince Oring’s timely triple ignited Khalifa-USJ-R’s 10-4 blast to clinch the championship.
Led by Most Outstanding Player (MOP) Peteros, the Jaguars remained undefeated, securing gutsy triumphs over regional powerhouses STI West Negros University Nzane and Trinity-Davies Paint/El Tzino.
Under the tutelage of veteran mentor Melo Banua, six players contributed at least seven points per game throughout the tournament.
MOP contender Justin Cargo and SRIC-Elite Lab settled for silver, while UNBL-Don Bosco of Dumaguete claimed bronze due to a stronger win-loss record than fourth-placer Trinity-Davies of Central Negros.
The Visayas RC Final Four now shift their focus to the 2024 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM Supermalls from March 18-24 at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
There, they will be joined by four more qualifiers from the upcoming South Luzon RC, the UAAP and NCAA finalists, 10 squads from the NBTC’s Global Partners in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and two wildcard teams. All will compete in the Philippine under-19 basketball championship.
“Our Visayas RC was a rousing success, from the competitive games to the amazing young talent that we all got to watch. None of it would have been possible without the all-out support of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, Gov. Bong Lacson, head of provincial sports Tony Agustin, and generous sponsors Wilford Sy and Rowela Alacapa,” said NBTC program director Eric Altamirano.
