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| RJ Colonia |
National University School and Pampanga Delta are headed to a collision course for a semifinal spot at the 2023 SMART-NBTC National Finals after taking care of business on Thursday against Level Up Team Abro at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Pampanga blew out the Davao-based squad first, 94-63, behind a forty-point outburst from Rhyle Melencio. The Zobel standout outscored Level Up by himself in the first half, 28-27, while also amassing twelve rebounds, a couple of assists and rejections. He shared afterwards, "Siyempre, Division 1 kasi kami, so ayoko lang mapahiya. Kaya sadyang kumpyansa kaming lahat. Sabi ni coach sa akin, wag daw akong mahiya, wag daw akong matakot."
Providing backup for Melencio is Joaquin Andrei de Leon with twelve points, while Doys Dungo and Michell Reyno each contributed ten markers.
The Bullpups followed suit with an 89-71 victory, starting off by scoring the game's first seven points and never looked back.
Reinhard Jumamoy contributed twenty points, ten rebounds, and four assists to lead the defending champions, with Macmac Infanta and Jedric Solomon providing backup with fifteen and ten, respectively.
The Cebu native shares about their upcoming matchup against Pampanga, "Malakas na team sila kaya paghahandaan namin sila bukas. Susundin lang namin yung game plan nina coach kasi alam naman naming 'di sila basta-basta."
Melencio adds, "Nakalaban ko na NU sa UAAP at saka sa preseason, 'di pa ako nananalo sa kanila, so gagawin ko lahat para manalo kami."
The Division 1 Pool A matchup highlights the second day of Magic 12 matches for Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Only the top team in each pool on both divisions will advance to the semifinals on Saturday.
In Pool D, Fil-Nation Select and Batang Tiaong set up their duel for the lone semifinal spot after dispatching Pinoy Mavs.
The US-based squad pounded their New Zealand counterparts, 93-61. Jason Mandaquit led the way with fifteen points.
Fresh from stunning Ateneo in the Super 24, the Quezon LQT champions followed suit with their own 67-53 win. La Salle commit Vhoris Marasigan nailed three triples on his way to nineteen points, while also adding five rebounds and a couple of assists.
SHS-Ateneo de Cebu and Mapua-Malayan will dispute Pool C's berth after taking care of Winnipeg. The Magis Eagles blew out the Canadians, 100-79, while the Red Robins eked out an 81-77 squeaker.
As for Pool B, UST and Toronto will fight for the available spot in light of their 77-47 and 70-63 respective results against Dubai Patriots.
In Division 2, Don Bosco Dumaguete held on to a 98-91 victory over Team United, led by 34 points for Matthew Jucom. He also added five rebounds and a couple of steals for the Grey Wolves.
Team United did manage to defeat Rome Elite, 85-53 to keep its semifinal hopes alive.
Ateneo and Doc Boleros dispatched Holy Trinity College in contrasting fashion to earn a spot in the semifinals. The Blue Eagles blew the General Santos squad, 77-58, through quality performances from Lebron Nieto (21 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals) and Kris Porter (nineteen points and eleven rebounds). Sean Bondoc led the latter with 31 points to help tow them to a 66-61 victory.
The remaining Division 2 matches saw the University of Luzon get beat up by Homegrown Australia (96-75) and PCU-Dasmarinas (104-71), and the University of Batangas drop their assignments against Team Tarlac (96-56) and the Saint Benilde International School-Calamba (79-78).
The final set of Magic 12 pool matches will be played on Friday, and will be streamed on the Facebook pages of the NBTC, SMART Sports, and Puso Pilipinas.
The National Finals is backed by Smart, SM, Strong Realty and Development Corp., Under Armour, and Molten, and is also supported by Tecno, Regent, Rebisco, Jollibee, San Miguel Corp., 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.
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