CEBU has crowned a new king as USPF-Playtown Exclusive captured the 2026 Smart-NBTC Visayas Regional Championship presented by SM Supermalls, gutting out a thrilling 57-56 victory over the USJR Jaguars in the final on Saturday at the Tacloban City Convention Center.
Luke Brent Dy carried the torch for the Panthers with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while adidas Most Outstanding Player J Lord Pepito chipped in 11 points, four boards, and three assists in the title-clinching win.
More than the individual numbers, however, it was USPF-Playtown Exclusive’s collective poise that proved decisive. The Panthers weathered USJR’s furious late rally, even after Jyle Andrey Roa cut the deficit to just one point with 36 seconds remaining.
The Jaguars had opportunities to complete the comeback but faltered in the closing moments. The most costly miscue came with 0.4 seconds left, when Jan Vince Oringo was called for a double-dribble violation—an unfortunate ending to what had been a strong 11-point, 16-rebound performance.
Krstc Ryll da Silva added 11 points and six rebounds for USJR before being ejected with 4:40 remaining due to an unsportsmanlike foul. His exit further thinned the Jaguars’ rotation, which had already lost Mythical Team member Fritz John Gonzales after he was tossed for two technical fouls midway through the second quarter.
Joining Pepito and Gonzales in the Mythical Team are Aldwin Calumpang Yso of Don Bosco Greywolves (Dumaguete), Ken Cydey Gallaza of Oasis Ballers Academy (Eastern Samar), and Joebert John Pastias of Bleachers Roadstar Transit Batang Bago (Negros Occidental).
Despite the heartbreaking defeat, the Cebuano squads are bound for the National Finals set from March 22 to 29, where they will compete against the country’s top teams in the Philippine national under-19 tournament, which is supported by adidas, Foot Locker, Molten, Buffalo’s Wings N Things, The Lighthouse Group, Pocari Sweat, Omni, Swish, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Also joining the Visayan delegation are Don Bosco Greywolves and Oasis Ballers Academy, who secured their spots via the regional wildcard.
Glenn Angana exploded for 28 points to power the Dumaguete champions past Bleachers Roadstar Transit Batang Bago, 83-70. Meanwhile, Sean Wilkinson Herbon scored 16 points as the Eastern Samar titlists escaped MYMP of Bohol in overtime, 65-60.
The final four provincial tickets will be contested in the South Luzon Regional Championship from February 26 to March 1 in Antipolo City.
