NUEVA ECIJA STAKES CLAIM AS KING OF NBTC NORTH LUZON

NUEVA ECIJA has ascended to the pinnacle, as D'Generals won the 2026 Smart-NBTC North Luzon Regional Championship.

Rebounding demon Jhonlord Cruz put his team on his shoulders, as the Novo Ecijanos pulled off a thrilling 91-89 finale against Marlins of Bulacan at University of Baguio Cardinals Gym on Tuesday.

Cruz uncorked 19 points and grabbed 23 rebounds in the clincher, including the game-sealing block on Jerald Raymundo as time expired to hold off a furious fourth quarter rally from the Bulakenyos.

More importantly, it capped off Cruz' memorable performance, one that saw him set a new NBTC record for most rebounds per game after hauling down 27 boards in the semifinals against Yes Mariveles, en route to being named as the adidas Most Outstanding Player.

Fellow Mythical Team member Jairus Armendez also did damage with 19 points built on three triples, on top of four boards, four assists, and two steals, while Nueva Ecija also drew big games from Alfie Jay Pacaldo, who nabbed a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Peter Hendrick Junior, who had 19 points and four boards.

The Marlins, however, refused to go down without a fight, crawling back from a 14-point deficit, 72-58, early in the fourth and leaned on Christian James Manlapaz (19 points and eight rebounds) and Justine Dave Batibot (21 points).

Manlapaz was also part of the Mythical Five together with Mark Khelvin Macalinao of Yes Mariveles (Bataan) and Mark Daniel Dela Cruz of CCDC Admirals (Benguet).

Madness in MOA is coming

Nonetheless, the two finalists are already bound for the National Finals from March 22 to 29 where they will play with the best teams in the Philippine national 19-under 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 (SBP).

Yes Mariveles and CCDC Admirals have also punched their tickets to the Nationals through the regional wildcard, making the most of their second chances to complete the North Luzon cast.

The Bataan champs routed PPG Tarlac, 102-78, behind Macalinao's 13 points, as six other players scored in double-figures.

CCDC also eked out a 74-72 decision over Quezon Nueva Ecija, with Dela Cruz firing 16 points and seven rebounds and Joel Christ Ancheta scoring 14.

Attention now shifts to the Visayas Regional Championship on Feb. 11 to 14, with Tacloban City Convention Center serving as main host.

2026-02-04T08:15:05Z