Bullpups back in NBTC National Finals

Jared Bahay and Reinhard Jumamoy

The three-peat is still alive at the 2023 SMART-NBTC National Finals presented by SM.

NU Nazareth School kept their title hopes flickering after surviving a 91-90 double overtime classic against Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Landmasters on Saturday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

RJ Colonia capped off his 29-point outburst through free throws with 5.9 seconds to provide some breathing room for the Bullpups. Elijah Yusi provided additional support with 21 points.

Head coach Kevin de Castro shared after the game, "Sabi ko lang sa boys kapit at kaya namin ito. Ito yung character-building win na hinahanap namin kaya sabi lang namin, walang bibitaw."

In a matchup between two of the best high school guards in the country, Reinhard Jumamoy and Jared Bahay put out a show.

The UAAP HS MVP finished with 23 points, twelve rebounds, eight assists, and six steals. The CESAFI Juniors MVP, on the other hand, finished with 23 points, including a triple to close out scoring in the second extension. The top player in the NBTC 24 also added five assists, and four rebounds.

Also producing for the Magis Eagles are Michael Asoro and his 27 points, including a corner three that forced the first overtime. He also added six rebounds. Fellow NBTC All-Star Raffy Celis secured a double-double with sixteen points and ten boards.

NUNS will face off against Fil-Nation Select in the Division 1 final, after the US-based squad dispatched UST, 74-66.

An 8-3 finishing run  capped by a Sean Alter slam provided the necessary breathing room, as they became the first overseas-based team to make the final of the biggest grassroots basketball tournament in the country.

Caelum Harris tacked on twelve points and three rebounds, while Jacob Bayla contributed eleven points and three boards.

Mark Llemit led the Tiger Cubs with 27 points, four rebounds, a couple of assists, and four steals. He also converted four of his five triples in this one.

The NUNS vs Fil-Nation Select matchup will take place at 5pm and will cap off activities at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

Starting things off is the 9am final of the Girls Have Next, also featuring Fil-Nation Select and NUNS, with the NBTC All-Star Game and its side events at noon. The Division 2 final between Team Tarlac and Royal Star Trading-Don Bosco Dumaguete is at 3pm.

Action on that day will be streamed on the Facebook pages of the NBTC, SMART Sports, and Puso Pilipinas.

The NBTC National Finals is sponsored by Smart, SM, Strong Realty and Development Corp., Under Armour, and Molten. It is also supported by Tecno, Regent, Rebisco, Jollibee, San Miguel Corp., Maynilad, Rebel Sports Pilipinas, MNL Kingpin, Gatorade, Swish App by NBN23, Victory Liner, Jasper Jean, Darlington, Exped, Mr. Freeze, Coach E Basketball School, Lighthouse Events, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.