NBTC Negros Island Qualifiers Open With Thrilling Wins, Tight Finishes Across 3 Clusters

As opening ceremonies tipped off simultaneously across North Negros, Central Negros, and South Negros on January 17, 2026 (Saturday), the silence of early morning gyms quickly gave way to squeaking sneakers, roaring benches, and the unmistakable rhythm of grassroots basketball at its finest. From the first jump ball, it was clear: this year’s NBTC Negros Island Local Qualifying Tournament would be decided by heart as much as skill.

The NBTC Negros Island Local Qualifying Tournament didn’t ease into action. The courts turned into battlegrounds – where every loose ball mattered, every timeout carried weight, and every basket pushed young teams one step closer to the NBTC dream.

North Negros Cluster

Starting off with the North Negros districts, Talisay Notre Dame set the tone early, surviving a nail-biting opener against CNHS Dreamers, 73–72, a game that came down to composure in the final seconds. The victory wasn’t luck – it was poise. That same edge carried them into Sunday, where they edged JJP Sagay City, 76–73, to cement their place as one of the cluster’s most battle-tested squads.

One Silay, on the other hand, announced its presence loudly. After taking down JJP Sagay City, 103–91, they followed it up with another strong performance against CNHS Dreamers, pulling away late for an 88–81 win. Balanced scoring and relentless pace defined the team’s weekend run.

Victorias City finished strong, stringing together back-to-back victories with a composed 93–78 win over Cadiz City Dukes before overpowering the Team Calatrava Basketball, 73–62. Team Calatrava, for their part, had already turned heads earlier in the tournament with a commanding 97–75 victory over E.B.M. Tumandok – who also fell to Cadiz City Dukes in a 71–63 decision.
Every game felt like a test of nerves – and North Negros delivered one classic after another.

Central Negros Cluster

Central Negros leaned into grit as LCC–B Davies El Tzino opened with a hard-earned 65–63 win over UNO–Recoletos Bacolod, then returned Sunday sharper and more confident, overpowering RGG Farm, 77–56. Their weekend was a masterclass in adjustments.

La Salle–Bacolod answered an early challenge by taking down Shockwave Basketball, 89–79, but it was CSAV–Titans who delivered one of the most emphatic performances of the tournament. After falling short on Day 1, the Titans stormed back with an 80–54 rout of La Salle, flipping the narrative completely.

Bacolod Tay Tung High School made its presence felt on both days – first edging CSAV–Titans (70-63), then dominating Shockwave Basketball, 78–53, showing why they remain one of Central Negros’ most disciplined teams.

UNO–Recoletos Bacolod closed strong as well, handling Spartans Basketball, 86–64, in a game defined by crisp execution and depth.

South Negros Cluster

If there was a cluster that thrived on momentum swings, it was South Negros.

Team Mylan exploded out of the gate with a 101–72 win over Sipalay City, setting the highest offensive mark of Day 1. But consistency would be tested, and Bleacher Sports Bar Team A answered the challenge – first dismantling Equiper Scorpion, 88–56, then taking down Team Mylan, 79–71, in a Sunday showdown that showcased composure under pressure.

Roadstar Transit Team B proved relentless. After handling MMBC, 83–57, they followed it up by overpowering Hiliusa Pontevedra, 82–48, making a clear statement with suffocating defense and fast-break execution.

Hiliusa Pontevedra rebounded from an opening loss to Bago NBTC with authority, beating them 86–74, while Pintok Tiger’s–Binalbagan delivered the weekend’s most painful heartbreak – edging Bago NBTC by a single point, 68–67, in a game decided by inches and nerve.

A Weekend That Meant More Than Wins

Across all three clusters, what unfolded was more than a list of scores.

It was guards learning to lead, young athletes fighting for every rebound, coaches calling timeouts with seasons on the line, and communities rallying behind teams wearing their city names with pride. Every win pushed teams closer to the Visayas Regional Championship – and every loss sharpened the hunger to return stronger.

Two days. Three clusters. Dozens of games that reminded everyone why NBTC remains the heartbeat of Philippine grassroots basketball.

And as the echoes fade from Silay, Bacolod, and Himamaylan, one thing is certain: Negros Island has already made its mark on the road to the national stage – one possession at a time.* (PR)