DAVAO City remained on top, but a new champion has been crowned as RSY Group of Companies copped the 2026 Smart-NBTC Mindanao Regional Championship.
Duke Solon ignited a quick start for the Davaoenos as they claimed the 75-60 victory over Liceo de Cagayan University Titans in the finals at Oroquieta City Bayfront Arena on Sunday.
The pint-sized playmaker uncorked 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals as he kickstarted RSY Group's early 13-0 opener to set the tone for the finale.
MJ Reyes also helped seal the deal, ushering his team's 21-4 barrage after the Titans got within four, 56-52, to end up with a team-high 24 points, seven rebounds, and three steals.
Nicko Marindoque tallied a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds to make up for the off-shooting night of Rolando Fortajada Jr., who only had five points but hauled in 10 boards.
The Cagayan de Oro champions leaned on Von Mofar's 17 points and five rebounds as Micoh Kurt Idulsa was limited to just 13 points on 1-of-11 clip from deep in the runner-up finish.
Rightfully so, Solon was named as the adidas Most Outstanding Player for this leg and was joined by Idulsa, Rene Clert Baterbonia of Off-Campus Residences x Toyomoto (Davao City), Ejay Dupla of Loverz Gadgets (Zamboanga del Sur), and Brenan Asister of Harbor Pilot (Misamis Occidental) in the Mythical Team.
Still, both finalists are heading to the National Finals from March 22 to 29 where they will have a chance to mix it up with the best in the Philippine national 19-under tournament which is supported by adidas, Foot Locker, Molten, Buffalo's Wings N Things, The Lighthouse Group, Pocari Sweat, Omni, Swish, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Off-Campus Residences x Toyomoto and Loverz Gadgets also booked their tickets to the Nationals after punching the last two regional wildcard spots for Mindanao.
Baterbonia, last year's Palarong Pambansa MVP, towed the Off-Campus crew to a dominant 72-52 rout of Harbor Pilot behind his 17 points, 17 rebounds, and four blocks.
Loverz Gadgets also pulled off a 72-67 come-from-behind win over Team Parola Panaon courtesy of John Rhey Mark Calumba's 18 points and 10 boards.
The four Mindanao representatives join NCAA Season 101 champion Letran Squires and runner-up Arellano Braves among the first entries in this year's Nationals which will feature a record 48 teams for the first time.
More tickets will be given out in the North Luzon Regional Championship happening from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3 at University of Baguio Gym in Baguio City.
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