Fil-Nation Select impress in SMART-NBTC National Finals debut

Fil-Nation Select

Fil-Nation Select kicks off its campaign in the 2023 SMART-NBTC National Finals on Wednesday with an impressive 116-60 demolition of Doc Boleros at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Super 24 matchup saw Jacob Bayla and Jason Mandaquit Jr combine for 31 points to tow the US-based squad onto Division 1, while sending their opponents to Division 2.

Defending champions National University Nazareth School kicked off its title defense with a 93-68 rout of PCU-Dasmarinas, with Reinhard Jumamoy showing why he is the third-best player in the NBTC 24 after stuffing the stat sheet with seventeen points, ten rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

Also securing a bid into the next round are Mapua-Malayan, as the Red Robins of the NCAA defeated Royal Star Trading-Don Bosco Dumaguete, 92-85. Jonalance Masiglat showed out with 21 points on 82 percent shooting.

The stunner of the afternoon session is Batang Tiaong's 64-41 victory over Ateneo, as John Rex Villanueva nailed seven triples on his way to 21 points. John Mowell Morales added sixteen points and seven boards for the Quezon local qualifying tournament champions.

Overseas squads Pinoy Mavs and Dubai Patriots squeaked past their LQT opposition, with the former from New Zealand dispatching Holy Trinity College, 83-79, behind Val Mercado's twenty points and Andre Salomon's double-double of thirteen points and fourteen rebounds. The latter from the Middle East nipped the University of Batangas, 66-65. Joseph Degullado contributed a couple of triples on his way to eleven markers.

Davao-based Level Up Team Abro blew out the University of Luzon, 111-74, with six players contributing in double figures: Ping Xian-Yee's sixteen, Robert Morado II's fifteen, Daryl Acero and Patrick Torejas' fourteen, Norman Cagampang's twelve, and Karlo Estomo's ten.

In the nightcap, Pampanga Delta survives Homegrown Australia, 84-81. Rhyle Melecio, who is coming off an impressive season for La Salle-Zobel in the UAAP, finished with 24 points and ten rebounds. Kaden Puletua added eighteen points and nine rebounds.

The Magic 12 matches start tomorrow for both divisions, with the games set to be streamed on on Facebook on the NBTC, Smart Sports, and Puso Pilipinas pages.

The 2023 Smart-NBTC National Finals is sponsored by Tecno, Regent, Rebisco, Jollibee, San Miguel Foundation, Maynilad, Rebel Sports Pilipinas, MNL Kingpin, Gatorade, Swish App, Victory Liner, Jasper Jean, Darlington, Exped, Coach E Basketball School, Lighthouse Events, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.