Team Khalifa keeps throne as NBTC Visayas champions

CEBU, Philippines — Team Khalifa dominated the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars, 75-54, in their lopsided final match to successfully defend their crown in the Smart-National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) Visayas Regional Championship 2025 on Sunday, March 2, at the Tay Tung High School Gym in Bacolod City.

Breathing fire from the get go, the Julius Cadavis-mentored Team Khalifa zoomed to an early 25-6 lead before stretching it to an imposing 26-point bulge, 42-16, at halftime.

After the short break, Team Khalifa kept its hot charge to further rip the game apart, 63-33, going into the final 12-minute mark.

Jay Ver Palco, Lloyd Amadeo Gutang and Jerome Arboiz bagged 10 points each, while Johncel Borjal, Jake Lordwin Yong and Jehu Syx Romanos connived for 26 points in a balanced offensive performance that vaulted Team Khalifa to back-to-back titles.

The other members of Team Khalifa are Chan Bennedict Brigoli, Arfrenny Chancy Ilustrisimo, Alcher Obra, John Onin Noynay, Daniell Chase Mapula, John Lloyd Mejares, Judd Kyle Rueda, John Rick Cometa, and Audric Garciso.

Borjal was doubly happy as he also earned a spot in the elite Mythical Five together with Kyle Matthew Barrieta of USJ-R, Gino de la Puerta of Talisay City-Notre Dame, Fritz John Gonzales of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, and John Loyd Martinez of El Tzino/Davies, the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

For the second straight year, Team Khalifa of Atty. Francis Tolibas rolled into the NBTC National Finals dubbed as “March Madness” later this month at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“I would like to thank coach Julius Cadavis and the rest of the coaching staff for preparing well the players for the four-day regionals. The sacrifices given by the players and coaches have been rewarded with another NBTC title,” said Tolibas.

“I would like thank the Recoletos communities in Cebu and Bacolod for the all out support to both Team Khalifa and the USJ-R Baby Jaguars. Fr. Glynn Ortega and Fr. Mhadz Lucero are so inspiring,” Tolibas added.

Team Khalifa and USJ-R will be joined in the Nationals by USPF and El Tzino/Davies of Negros Occidental, who also advanced after emerging victorious in the wildcard qualifiers.

The Panthers from Cebu upended Talisay-Norte Dame, 70-60, while El Tzino/Davies trounced the Bleachers Roadstar Transit, 69-57.