Early Supreme 16 berths handed out at NBTC National Finals

Toronto's Denzel Faraon vs Bulacan in the 2019 NBTC Nationals Super 32

Durham Crossover survived a historic output from John Bravo to dispatch First City Providential College to earn the first spot in the Supreme 16 at the 2019 Chooks-to-Go NBTC National Finals presented by SM at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Bravo uncorked 42 points for the Royal Eaglets, but the school from Bulacan fell to their guest squad opposition, 85-82. The 42 is the second-highest scoring mark in the history of the tournament, following Jalen Green's 51-point outburst last year.

About Bravo, Durham head coach Mike Cruz shares, "Well, merong very special player, yung Bravo pati yung number 10 nila, yung Theo Pablico, para silang Batman and Robin." He adds, "Nag-adjust kami kay Pablico nung third quarter at hinintay namin mapagod yung Bravo. Last two minutes, dun kami nakalamang after nung i-shut down namin yung Bravo."

FCPC would take an early 10-point lead through the efforts of Bravo and Pablico, but the Toronto-based team would make the necessary adjustments to take their own 10-point lead heading into the final period. FCPC would bounce back themselves to tie the game late, but a Jason Diaz triple allowed Durham some breathing room before baskets from Denzel Faraon and Joshua Samonte providing the necessary insurance.

Faraon would finish with 24 points, ten rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Diaz added sixteen points, nine rebounds, a couple of assists, a couple of steals, and a key rejection.

Camp David earned a spot in the Supreme 16 for the first in their three-year history of participating in the NBTC, escaping with an 80-77 victory over St. Louis of Don Bosco.

The Kiwi led by as large as 21 before the Greywolves manage to cut that deficit down to as low as three points. They had a chance to potentiall tie the game late, but Thomas Pou forced a turnover and Camp David would run out the clock

The 8-man side relied once again on Reimar Cruz's scoring, as he poured 26 points, along with five rebounds and six assists. Mason Amos added a near-double-double with fifteen points and nine rebounds.

Icy Patrocino led SLDB with 21 points and eight rebounds.

At Palm Coast Marina, Hope Christian High School advanced to the Supreme 16 with a 71-50 win over Sto. Domingo National High School.

Harvey Pagsanjan stepped up for the Soldiers with 22 points, while JD Areno led the Legazpi Regional Champions with twelve points and eighteen rebounds, while adding an assist, a couple of steals, and a block.

Also advancing to the Supreme 16 are Top Flight Hoops, after they dispatched St. Mary's College of Tagum, 72-68. The Vancouver-based squad was led by Kit Mramot and his 21 points and twelve rebounds, as well as a couple of assists and steals. Jerric Palma added fifteen points as the only other player in double figures.