Smart-Manila clinches Nokia NCR national crown

MANILA, Philippines - Smart-Manila routed Xavier School-San Juan, 92-53, to bag the NCR national crown of the Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League at the San Juan gym recently.

Mike Tolomia topscored for Smart Manila with 13 points followed by 11 from Dave Moralde, 10 each from Jay Alejandro and Chris Javier while Roldan Sara and Baser Amer scored eight points apiece in the tournament supported by Nokia Phils. and TAO Corp. with recognition from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Xavier San Juan actually made it to the finals after edging Magnolia Parañaque, 77-76, as the latter settled for third while B-MEG Integra Manila finished fourth.

Caesar Wongchuking led the San Juan squad with 13 points while Jeron Teng had eight points. Teng also made it to the mythical team along with B-MEG Integra Manila’s Mark Cruz, Tolomia, Mark Ollano of Magnolia Parañaque and Smart Manila’s Alfonzo Gotladera in the event backed by San Miguel Pure Foods Co. Inc., Smart Communications and Burlington.

Amer was named the Most Outstanding Player while the Burlington Most Promising Player and the Sportsmanship Award went to Timothy Dumas of Magnolia Parañaque and Bryan Tan of San Juan, respectively.