The 2025 Milcu Sports x Got Skills Basketball U16 Talent Identification tournament saw intense battles on Tuesday at the Greenhills West Clubhouse in San Juan, with NCR teams asserting their dominance while Leyte continued its unbeaten run.
Second-generation basketball aspirant Sky Jazul and UPIS standout Bruce Tubongbanua carried NCR-Safestep to a hard-fought 53-47 win over Bacolod, keeping their record flawless at 2-0 in Group D.
Jazul, son of Phoenix Fuel Masters veteran RJ Jazul and a member of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, filled the stat sheet with eight points, five assists, three steals, and a rebound. Meanwhile, Tubongbanua led the scoring with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
The duo took charge in the final frame, with Jazul assisting Tubongbanua on a clutch three-pointer that extended their lead to 44-36. Tubongbanua followed up with back-to-back baskets before Jazul nailed a floater, giving Safestep a commanding 52-39 cushion. Bacolod mounted an 8-1 late-game run but fell short of a comeback.
In the same group, NCR-SGAxLGR obliterated Laguna with a lopsided 74-37 win. Kiefer Panganiban and Jolo Pascual, both from UE, powered the rout with 13 and 12 points, respectively, to lift their squad to a 2-0 record in Group C.
Another NCR squad, NCR-JHOOP, also preserved its spotless slate, eking out a thrilling 49-46 victory over Muntinlupa.
Zaq Dalaten delivered the game-winner, converting a three-point play with 3.8 seconds left to seal the win. Dalaten finished with seven points, five rebounds, two assists, and three steals, while Alejandro Sanz added 13 markers and five boards.
Meanwhile, Bulacan rebounded from its opening loss with a 55-40 victory over Pangasinan.
Over in Group A, Leyte-Dream Big Leyte remained unscathed, proving their opening-day triumph was no fluke by dismantling Bukidnon, 65-52.
Fiery 5-foot-3 guard Rowee Cabañero exploded for 21 points, 11 steals, four rebounds, and two assists in another stellar performance.
His relentless energy propelled Leyte to a massive 22-point lead in the third quarter after a three-point play by Dexter Iwan made it 53-31.
Though Bukidnon attempted a late rally, Leyte held on to stay perfect at 2-0.
Iwan chipped in 12 points and eight boards, while Francis Rosales added 10 markers, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks.
Pampanga also kept its perfect run intact, overpowering NCR-More Than Just Hoops (MTJH) with a decisive 69-49 win in Group B.
Jhon Canapi led the charge with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Yujin Peña and Gab Castro contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Cavite and Cebu bounced back from their opening-day losses, grabbing victories over NCR-Passion Sports and Ilocos, respectively.
Cavite edged out NCR-Passion Sports, 59-53, to improve to 1-1 in Group A, while Cebu outlasted Ilocos, 64-55, to level its record at 1-1 in Group D.
