Davies/El Tzino, Talisay City & Bleacher Roadstar Transit Crowned As Champions at the ABANSE NEGRENSE – NBTC LQT Championships

BACOLOD CITY – The Montalbo Covered Court roared with energy as basketball enthusiasts witnessed heart-pounding action during the ABANSE NEGRENSE – NBTC Local Qualifying Tournament (LQT) semi-finals and championship games on Dec. 7 and 8, 2024.

Teams from across Negros Occidental battled for glory in this highly anticipated event, showcasing skill, teamwork, and unyielding determination.

The semi-finals on Dec. 7 delivered edge-of-your-seat excitement as the City of Talisay outlasted Escalante City’s Yutang Bulawan with a score of 76 – 62, while JJP Basketball of Sagay City powered past One Silay Team with an 82 – 72 victory in the Northern Negros Cluster. In the South, Bleacher Roadstar Transit narrowly edged out Go Bago City, scoring 80 – 77.

Sparta Hunters Hinigaran, on the other hand, stunned Sipalay City in the nail-biting 78 – 76 finish. As for the Central Negros Cluster, Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias (CSAV) advanced via default against Bacolod Tay Tung High School(BTTHS) while Davies/El Tzino claimed a hard-fought 69 – 61 win over the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos (UNO-R).

The intense competition continued on Dec. 8 as teams vied for podium finishes in the Battle for Third round. Representing the Northern Negros Cluster, One Silay triumphed over Escalante City’s Yutang Bulawan with a score of 46 – 43, while Go Bago City overpowered Sipalay City with an 11-point lead, scoring 77 – 66 in the Southern Negros Cluster. Central Negros Cluster’s UNO-R secured third place by default against BTTHS.

The championship games were nothing short of electrifying as Bleacher Roadstar Transit held off Sparta Hunters Hinigaran to claim the Southern Negros Cluster championship title with a score of 54 – 49. Northern Negros Cluster defending champion, City of Talisay, once again emerged victorious in a thrilling 97 – 95 win over JJP Basketball of Sagay City.

Davies/El Tzino also reaffirmed their dominance with an 87 – 70 victory over CSAV, solidifying their position as back-to-back Central Negros Cluster champions.

Indeed, the City of Talisay and Davies/El Tzino have once again proven their mettle, defending their crowns and setting the stage for an exciting next phase of the NBTC circuit.

Meanwhile, the journey continues for these local champion teams as they advance and represent the province to the NBTC Regional Finals, which will once again be hosted by the Province of Negros Occidental. Scheduled for February to March 2025, the regional finals will take place at the Willy and Nolita Au Gymnasium (Po Hang Gym) of Bacolod Tay Tung High School.

This collaborative program with NBTC and Coach Eric Altamirano is part of the unwavering commitment of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose V. Lacson to empower Negrense youth through various sustainable ABANSE NEGRENSE Sports Development Initiatives that aim to promote excellence, the spirit of camaraderie, and sportsmanship across the province.* (Provincial Sports Office)