Handout photo
MANILA — UST x D'Generals' quest for redemption in the 2026 NBTC National Finals is not yet over after edging out Kieffer Alas and Phenom NZ Blue Fire, 88-86, on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Kirk Canete stole the show in the Fantastic 8 from Gilas Pilipinas Youth stalwarts Alas and Joaqui Ludovice, posting a 21-point, 11-assist double-double on top of three steals, while Jhonlee Melano pounded in 19 markers and nine boards of his own.
The Tiger Cubs, who were just recently dethroned in UAAP Season 88 boys' basketball, rode a 7-1 run to increase a one-point lead to a 75-67 edge late in the third quarter.
Canete's slash and score then kept UST x D'Generals in front by six, 88-82, with under a minute left only to see Alas and Ram Sharma keep coming and pulling Phenom to just down two, 86-88, with 4.4 ticks to go.
Off a timeout, the Tiger Cubs' inbound to Canete was almost intercepted by Alas, but the heady guard kept control before passing to the other side of their court, where Charles Esteban held on to the ball and they held on to the all-important win.
UST x D'Generals is the lone UAAP or NCAA team to advance to the Division 1 Fearless 4, just less than a week after needing to rule over the Wildcard Tournament to book their ticket to the Philippine national under-19 championship.
Up next for the Tiger Cubs is University of San Jose-Recoletos which kept up its breakout run courtesy of an 83-80 victory vs. Arellano.
The Jaguars leaned on Krstc Da Silva and his 22-point, 7-rebound, 5-assist effort to run past the Braves and record the best performance by a Cebuano side since Jared Bahay was still playing for Sacred Heart School-Ateneo.
Whoever wins between UST x D'Generals and USJ-R will move one win away from claiming the throne still occupied by Fil-Am Nation USA which buried D'Generals x Dynamix Creative in a barrage of threes for a 108-98 decision.
Blaze Johnson flirted with a triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, as the Fil-Ams waxed hot from beyond the arc in totaling 16 triples.
That was the very weapon they wielded in a 17-5 blast that turned a slim 59-57 edge into a 76-62 lead late in the third quarter. They wouldn't look back from there en route to extending their title defense to one more game, at the very least.
Facing Fil-Am Nation USA in the next round is Arceegee-St. Clare which dropped a 64-58 upset ax on the head of NCAA champion Letran.
Gian Carlo Gamala starred for the Saints with 15 points, six rebounds, and three steals, helping the Metro Manila regional champion get another shot at pulling off a shocker, this time against the heavily favored reigning titlists.
The Division 2 Fearless Four, meantime, will see defending champion Top Flight Sports be challenged by fellow Canadian team Crossover.
Top Flight Sports put an L on For the Win, 92-79, behind Jemuel Castro's 24 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Crossover fished an 89-74 triumph over Marlins Bulacan, on the back of Nathan Walters Sundarrajah and his 26 markers, seven boards, and six dimes.
The opposite bracket will feature Mapua duking it out with Mindanao regional champion RSY Group of Companies.
The Red Robins flew past Playtown Exclusive, 70-67, as RSY Group of Companies defanged Urbana Studios x San Beda, 64-62.