Fil-Nation Select wins by 56; Mapua, NU notch wins in NBTC opener

Fil-Nation Select opened its campaign in the 2023 NBTC National Finals with a 56-point blowout win against Doc Boleros on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jacob Bayla (17) and Jason Mandaquit, Jr. (14) combined for 31 points to lead the Fil-Americans and book a Division 1 slot, while Doc Boleros were relegated to Division 2.

Mapua University, meanwhile, moved to Division 1 with a win over Royal Star Trading-Don Bosco Dumaguete, 92-85, with Lance Masiglat tallying 21 points on a blistering 82% shooting clip.

National University, on the other hand, started its title defense bid with a win against Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas, 93-68, with NBTC 24 rank no. 3 Reinhard Jumamoy listing 17 markers, 10 boards, five dimes, and three steals.

UST also managed to move to Division 1 with a win over Team Tarlac, 66-62, while Ateneo de Manila fell to Batang Tiaong, 64-41.

NBTC no. 1 Jared Bahay's alma mater Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Landmasters also moved to Division 1 after a 99-54 rout of Rome Elite, with Bahay tallying seven points, five assists, four steals, and three rebounds. Teammate Raffy Celis posted 11 points and nine rebounds.

Other winning teams that moved to Division 1 include Winnipeg (def. Team United, 86-72), Toronto (def. St. Benilde International School, 83-63), Pinoy Mavs (def. Holy Trinity, 83-79), Level Up Team Abro (def. University of Luzon, 111-74), Dubai Patriots (def. University of Batangas, 66-65), Pampanga Delta (def. Homegrown Australia, 84-81).

The losers of the seeding matches will be relegated to Division 2.

The NBTC National Finals is played at the Mall of Asia Arena until March 19.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News