USPF Wins NBTC Visayas Title with Last-Second Victory

The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers–Playtown Exclusive edged past the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJR) Baby Jaguars in a nail-biting 57–56 victory to capture the 2026 Smart-NBTC Visayas Regional Championship on February 14 at the Tacloban City Convention Center. The one-point triumph sealed an undefeated 7–0 campaign for the Cebu-based squad and secured its place in the National Finals in Manila next month.

The championship game swung on a razor’s edge until the final seconds, when a costly double-dribble violation with 0.4 seconds remaining ended USJR’s last chance at a comeback and preserved USPF’s lead.

A Final Decided by Inches

The Visayas championship unfolded with the tension of a tightly coiled spring. Both teams traded runs, defensive stops and crucial rebounds in a contest marked as much by discipline as by emotion.

Luke Brent Dy powered USPF with 17 points and 11 rebounds, providing stability inside the paint. J Lord Pepito added 11 points, four rebounds and three assists, orchestrating the offense with measured control. Pepito’s consistent play throughout the tournament earned him Most Outstanding Player honors.

USJR matched the intensity. Jan Vince Oringo delivered 11 points and 16 rebounds, dominating the glass and keeping his team within striking distance. Jyle Andrey Roa ignited a late rally, cutting the deficit to a single point with 36 seconds left.

But the Jaguars’ effort was complicated by disciplinary setbacks. In the second period, Fritz John Gonzales was ejected after incurring two technical fouls. Later, with 4:40 remaining in the final quarter, Krstc Ryll da Silva was called for an unsportsmanlike foul and also ejected. The disruptions tested USJR’s depth in a contest where every possession mattered.

Composure Under Pressure

After the game, USPF Head Coach Alan Cabatingan credited preparation and calm execution for his team’s narrow escape.

“Our plan was to limit the points of their starters. The players stayed composed. It was an answered prayer,” Cabatingan said.

Team owner Rowena Tubu Guidicelli acknowledged the strength of their Cebu rivals.

“We didn’t expect this because USJ-R is very strong. God guided us to achieve the title,” she said.

The victory underscored USPF’s resilience. The Baby Panthers navigated the regional tournament without a single loss, a measure of consistency rarely achieved in youth competitions of this scale.

Visayas Sends Four to Manila

Both USPF and USJR advanced to the NBTC National Finals scheduled for March 22–29 in Manila, joining other regional qualifiers from across the country.

The Visayas region will also be represented by:

• Don Bosco Greywolves (Dumaguete), who secured an 83–70 win over Bleachers Roadstar Transit Batang Bago of Negros Occidental.
• Oasis Ballers Academy (Eastern Samar), which defeated MYMP Bohol 65–60 in overtime.

The regional tournament forms part of the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) Under-19 program, overseen by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). Supported by corporate partners including Smart Communications, SM Supermalls, adidas and other sponsors, the competition serves as a pipeline for identifying elite youth talent.

Mythical Team Honors Reflect Regional Depth

The tournament’s Mythical Team selections showcased the Visayas’ breadth of emerging basketball talent:

• J Lord Pepito (USPF)
• Fritz John Gonzales (USJR)
• Aldwin Calumpang Yso (Don Bosco Greywolves)
• Ken Cydey Gallaza (Oasis Ballers Academy)
• Joebert John Pastias (Bleachers Roadstar Transit Batang Bago)

For Cebu’s basketball community, the championship signaled both dominance and depth. USPF’s title and USJR’s runner-up finish highlighted the province’s competitive standing in youth basketball, while teams from Negros and Eastern Samar demonstrated that the sport’s grassroots strength runs throughout the region.

A Stepping Stone to the National Stage

The NBTC National Finals in Manila will place the Visayas champions against top squads from Luzon and Mindanao, amplifying exposure for players seeking collegiate scholarships or professional pathways. For many of these teenagers, the hardwood serves as both proving ground and gateway.

In Tacloban, a single point separated triumph from heartbreak. In Manila next month, the margins may be just as thin.

For now, USPF stands as the Visayas’ standard-bearer—undefeated, tested, and poised for a larger stage.