2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals field is set with Phenom Blue Fire and Arellano completing the cast.
Kieffer Alas and the rest of Phenom Blue Fire and the Arellano Braves earned the last two tickets to the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals on Sunday at Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong City.
Alas, the top-ranked high school player in the country, was happy to set the table for his peers in Phenom Blue Fire’s 107-85 rout of Fil-Am Nation San Francisco in the first Wildcard Final.
He finished with seven points, seven assists, and two rebounds as his peers Matthew Jucom, who registered 24 points and 11 boards, and Most Outstanding Player Bonn Daja, who got 17 points and five rebounds, took care of business.
The Braves, on the other hand, outlasted UE Junior Warriors, 77-76, in the other Wildcard Final.
Aaron Manansala dropped 15 points, Most Outstanding Player John Ray Ladica chimed in 14 points built on two treys, on top of four assists, and John Denver Baluyot got 10 points and six rebounds in the gutsy win.
They now complete the 32-team field for the Philippine national 19-under championship, presented by SM Supermalls and Playtime Cares, starting on Monday.
UAAP champion UST Tiger Cubs, runner-up NU Nazareth School Bullpups, defending NCAA champion Letran Squires, and perennial contender FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws lead the pack which also includes the 16 regional qualifiers and the 10 global teams.
Defending NBTC Division 1 champion Fil-Am Nation Select and Division 2 titlist Top Flight Hoops Canada square off in the Burlington Seeding Round on Monday at Mall of Asia Arena, with the eight other global teams fighting for positioning in the single knockout tournament which is also sponsored by MNL Kingpin, Molten, Pocari Sweat, Swish, and Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things.