Two regions, two dominant forces, and four well-earned tickets to the grand stage.
Toyomoto Auto Supply and EZ Jersey-Doc Boleros solidified their supremacy in their respective territories, defending their crowns and booking their places in the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals after ruling the Mindanao and North Luzon Regional Championships.
Toyomoto Auto Supply reasserted its claim as the powerhouse of the south, repeating as champions in the 2025 Smart-NBTC Mindanao Regional Championship with a commanding 84-63 triumph over Notre Dame of Midsayap Rams last Sunday at the newly inaugurated Oroquieta City Bayfront Arena in Misamis Occidental.
(C) Bon Arevalo/NBTC
Karlo Caezar Estomo spearheaded the title defense, exploding for 32 points, including seven in the first quarter, to set the tone for an early 21-10 separation.
The sharpshooter was near-unstoppable, drilling five triples on a 5-of-9 clip while also hauling 10 rebounds and grabbing two steals. His stellar performance earned him the Regional Most Outstanding Player award.
Toyomoto’s dominance was further reinforced by Andrei Cabagtong, who filled the stat sheet with 12 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while John Michael Quiamco contributed nine points, five boards, and five dimes.
Despite Kurt John Bustamante’s valiant effort of 16 points, three rebounds, and three assists for Notre Dame, the Davao-based squad proved to be too much.
Still, both finalists secured their berths in the prestigious Smart-NBTC National Finals as Mindanao’s representatives.
Joining them through the Regional Wildcard were Toyland Bistro of Cagayan de Oro and AGCCI of Davao City.
Toyland vented its frustrations after a semifinal exit, dismantling LPU-Davao, 96-87, with Joseph Dumdum leading the charge with 28 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and three steals.
AGCCI, meanwhile, dominated High Hoops of Bukidnon, 91-57, behind Karl Benedict Wood’s 24 points, seven assists, and three blocks, along with Benedict Morales’ 19-point contribution.
(C) Bon Arevalo/NBTC
Last January 19, CAMANAVA reaffirmed its dominance as EZ Jersey-Doc Boleros dismantled Luid Kapampangan, 87-72, in the 2025 Smart-NBTC North Luzon Regional Championship at the Central Luzon State University Gymnatorium in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.
Kenneth Avila, a steady presence throughout the tournament, delivered 11 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and two assists to claim the Regional Most Outstanding Player honor.
(C) Bon Arevalo/NBTC
However, it was the Doc Boleros’ backcourt that set the tone early, with Bobet Monterozo erupting for nine of his 13 points in the opening quarter to establish a commanding 28-14 lead.
Ace Baldomero and Richmond Montejo chipped in 11 points each as the CAMANAVA squad steamrolled through the competition, finishing with an undefeated 7-0 record.
Luid Kapampangan, led by Nikko Tipino’s 17 points and four rebounds, along with Mythical Team member Alexis Riño’s 15 points, six assists, and five boards, fell short in the finale but still clinched a coveted spot in the National Finals.
Meanwhile, DPR Aviation College of Bulacan and i-Achievers Modern College of Nueva Ecija snatched the final two North Luzon tickets via the Regional Wildcard.
Yhano Micorhain Lacsarum caught fire for DPR, drilling six three-pointers en route to a 24-point outburst in a 94-84 victory over Nagbukel National High School of Ilocos Sur.
i-Achievers, on the other hand, pulled off a dramatic comeback from 12 points down in the final five minutes, stealing an 84-83 thriller against Nueva Ecija D’Generals with a clutch putback from Blyz Taculad in the dying seconds.
With the Mindanao and North Luzon champions set, the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals is shaping up to be an intense battle of regional kings.
More teams are expected to join the fray as the Regional Championships continue, with the Visayas leg scheduled from Feb. 27 to March 2 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, where four more tickets are up for grabs.
The Smart-NBTC National Finals is presented by SM Supermalls and Playtime Cares, is also backed by Adidas, Molten, Swish, and JProject.
