Nueva Ecija rose to the top of North Luzon as the D’Generals captured the 2026 Smart-NBTC North Luzon Regional Championship.
Jhonlord Cruz put the team on his shoulders, powering the Novo Ecijanos to a thrilling 91-89 victory over the Bulacan Marlins in the finals at the University of Baguio Cardinals Gym on Tuesday.
Cruz finished with 19 points and 23 rebounds in the clincher, punctuating his dominant outing with a game-sealing block on Jerald Raymundo as time expired to deny a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Bulakenyos.
More importantly, the performance capped a memorable tournament run for Cruz, who set a new NBTC record for most rebounds in a game after hauling down 27 boards in the semifinals against Yes Mariveles. He was later named the adidas Most Outstanding Player.
Fellow Mythical Team member Jairus Armendez also delivered with 19 points built on three triples, along with four rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Nueva Ecija likewise drew big games from Alfie Jay Pacaldo, who posted a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double, and Peter Hendrick Junior, who added 19 points and four boards.
Bulacan, however, refused to go down quietly. The Marlins clawed back from a 14-point deficit, 72-58, early in the fourth quarter and leaned on Christian James Manlapaz, who tallied 19 points and eight rebounds. Justine Dave Batibot was equally impressive with 21 points.
Manlapaz was also named to the Mythical Five, alongside Mark Khelvin Macalinao of Yes Mariveles (Bataan) and Mark Daniel Dela Cruz of CCDC Admirals (Benguet).
Despite the loss, both finalists have already secured spots in the National Finals from March 22 to 29, where they will battle the country’s best teams in the Philippine national under-19 tournament supported by adidas, Foot Locker, Molten, Buffalo’s Wings N Things, The Lighthouse Group, Pocari Sweat, Omni, Swish, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Yes Mariveles and CCDC Admirals also punched their tickets to the Nationals via the regional wild card, making the most of their second chances to complete the North Luzon cast.
The Bataan champions routed PPG Tarlac, 102-78, behind Macalinao’s 13 points, with six other players also scoring in double figures.
CCDC, meanwhile, eked out a 74-72 win over Quezon Nueva Ecija, led by Dela Cruz’s 16 points and seven rebounds, while Joel Christ Ancheta chipped in 14 points.
Attention now shifts to the Visayas Regional Championship from Feb. 11 to 14, with the Tacloban City Convention Center serving as the main host.
