Bacolod TTHS, RGG Farms Crowned Champions at 4th Acster Cup ‘Pasalamat sa Pag-Asenso’ 2025

The 4th Acster Cup “Pasalamat sa Pag-Asenso” 2025 concluded with electrifying championship games, celebrating the remarkable talent and competitive spirit of grassroots basketball in Negros. Bacolod Tay Tung High School (BTTHS) and RGG Farms emerged victorious in their respective divisions.

BTTHS clinched the title in the 18-and-under division after edging out the Bobcats in a tightly fought final, 69–63. John Steven Sondia led the scoring for Tay Tung with 16 points, supported by Daniel Sigaya with 15. Jeric Santisteban contributed 11 points, while Ed Marinduque and Jerry Binguan III added six apiece. Michael Velasco and Thirdy Sebuan chipped in five points each to round out a balanced team effort.

BTTHS held a commanding 64–50 lead with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Bobcats mounted a furious 13–0 run, holding BTTHS scoreless for over four minutes. The rally was sparked by two three-pointers from Kyle Matthew Barrieta and key free throws from Zaily John Rasmo and Paulo Rasmo.

With 47 seconds remaining and a chance to take the lead, the Bobcats failed to capitalize. BTTHS’s Jerry Binguan III broke the drought with a breakaway layup following an inbound error, sparking a decisive 5–0 closing run. A turnover on the next possession led to a free throw from Velasco, before Sigaya sealed the game with a layup with 12 seconds left.

Barrieta led all scorers with 27 points for the Bobcats. Zaily John Rasmo added 17, while Jay Dominice contributed six. Notre Dame claimed second runner-up honors, with Kap Odol finishing third runner-up in the 18-and-under division.

John Steven Sondia was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the division. Joining him in the Mythical Five were BTTHS teammates Jerry Binguan III and Jeric Santisteban, along with Bobcats stars Zaily John Rasmo and Kyle Matthew Barrieta.

In the 15-and-under division, RGG Farms avenged their only loss of the tournament with a commanding 88–68 victory over SP Lineage–St. Joseph School La Salle. Dwyane Madrigal and Den2 Enriquez led RGG Farms with 21 points each, while Hashim Mampao added 15, Nicus Robert Calma 11, and Griffin Barlan 9.

SP Lineage was paced by Brielle Justine Biocon with 21 points, followed by Jabez Honorario with 17. Jan Christof Arcega and Arvhey Mahilum added 10 points each in a hard-fought effort.

Den2 Enriquez was named MVP of the 15-and-under division. He was joined in the Mythical Five by Nonoy Panisales, Jabez Honorario, Dwyane Madrigal, and Seth Guarino. BTTHS finished as second runner-up, while Bobcats earned third runner-up honors.

Championship teams in each division received ₱50,000 and a trophy. First runners-up received ₱30,000, second runners-up ₱15,000, and third runners-up ₱10,000.

Now on its fourth edition, the Acster Cup has firmly established itself as one of Negros’ premier grassroots basketball tournaments, providing a platform for emerging talent and promoting community pride through sport. The event is organized by the Acster Marketing Basketball Cup, led by Jomarie Panisales, in partnership with the United Negros Basketball League (UNBL).*