FOR the second straight year, University of Santo Tomas is headed to the 2024 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM Supermalls, while University of the East will be experiencing #MadnessInMOA for the first time ever.
The Growling Tigers and Red Warriors pulled off contrasting wins in the 2024 NBTC Wildcard Tournament semifinals, Saturday at Philsports Arena, to complete the 32-strong cast that will contest the Philippine national under-19 basketball championship from March 18 to 24 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Charles Bucsit had to save the day with a triple to force overtime before JB Lim took over and propelled UST past De La Salle Zobel, 93-87, in a tight tiff that featured 13 lead changes and eight deadlocks.
Lim was on fire all throughout and wound up with 45 points, but it was Bucsit’s timely make in the dying moments of regulation that energized the Tiger Cubs all the way to the extra period where they outscored the Jr. Archers, 12-6.
With the win, UST advanced to the Wildcard Tournament finals to be played later in the day, facing off against UE which took the fight out of San Beda High School, 76-61.
