The road to the national stage grew narrower and more intense as the NBTC Negros Island Local Qualifying Tournament delivered a dramatic finish from January 31 to February 1.
Across north and south Negros, every possession carried weight as teams fought not just for wins, but for pride, momentum, and a coveted slot in the Visayas Regional Championships in Tacloban City.
What unfolded over the weekend was grassroots basketball at full throttle. Tight semifinals. Statement victories. Championship games are decided by composure in the final minutes.
NORTH NEGROS CLUSTER
The north Negros court was defined by discipline and poise as the tournament reached its final stretch.
One Silay asserted its championship pedigree early, dismantling Victorias City, 95–82, in the semifinals behind balanced scoring and relentless pace. They would face a tougher test in the finals, but the tone was set.
Team Calatrava punched its way into the championship round with authority, turning back Talisay Notre Dame, 85–60, in a semifinal performance built on defensive pressure and efficient execution.
In the battle for third, Talisay Notre Dame bounced back strong, overpowering Victorias City, 98–80, to close their campaign on a high note.
The championship clash delivered the drama North Negros had promised. One Silay held steady in crunch time, edging Team Calatrava, 91–87, in a tightly contested final that came down to composure, shot selection, and championship nerve. When the final buzzer sounded, One Silay stood tall as North Negros champions.
SOUTH NEGROS CLUSTER
If north Negros was about control, south Negros was about momentum swings and late-game resolve.
Bleacher Sports Bar Team A opened the weekend by grinding out a 62–54 win over Spartans Hinigaran, while Roadstar Transit Team B survived a hard-fought duel against Pintok Tigers–Binalbagan, escaping with a 77–74 victory.
February 1 raised the stakes.
Roadstar Transit Team B leaned on defense and discipline to edge Team Mylan, 71–67, in the semifinals. In the other bracket, Bleacher Sports Bar Team A pulled away late to defeat Pintok Tigers–Binalbagan, 75–66, earning a place in the championship game.
Pintok Tigers–Binalbagan refused to bow quietly, claiming third place with an 82–79 win over Team Mylan in another down-to-the-wire contest.
The championship showdown capped the weekend with authority. Bleacher Sports Bar Team A delivered its strongest performance when it mattered most, defeating Roadstar Transit Team B, 89–81, behind timely shooting and composed play in the closing minutes. The win crowned them South Negros champions and underscored their readiness for the next stage.
EYES ON TACLOBAN
As the dust settles on Negros Island, the path to the Visayas Regional Championships from February 10 to 14, becomes clearer.
Champions have emerged. Roles have been defined. Confidence has been built through pressure-tested wins and painful losses. For these young squads, the journey now continues beyond the island, with Tacloban City awaiting as the next proving ground.
From packed sidelines to final-second finishes, the final leg of the NBTC Negros Island Qualifiers was a reminder of why grassroots basketball matters. It is where resilience is forged, leadership is learned, and dreams move one step closer to reality.
The road to the national stage is far from over. But Negros Island has sent a clear message: its best are ready for what comes next, with Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias emerging as the Central Negros champion, One Silay ruling north Negros, and Bleacher Sports Bar Team A claiming the south Negros crown.*
