RSY Group Triumphs in NBTC Mindanao Regional Championship Finals
The RSY Group of Companies has etched its name in regional basketball history with a decisive 75–60 victory over the Liceo de Cagayan University Titans in the championship game of the 2026 Smart-NBTC Mindanao Regional Championship. The thrilling finals took place on Sunday at the Oroquieta City Bayfront Arena, where a passionate crowd witnessed RSY demonstrate exceptional poise, impressive depth, and championship-level composure throughout the contest.
Securing National Finals Berths for Mindanao Teams
This significant regional triumph has secured coveted spots for both RSY and Liceo de Cagayan University in the upcoming Smart-NBTC National Finals, scheduled to run from March 22 to 29. At the national stage, these Mindanao representatives will compete against the country's elite 19-and-under teams, providing an opportunity for regional talent to challenge traditional basketball powerhouses from Luzon and the Visayas regions.
Joining them from Mindanao will be Off-Campus Residences x Toyomoto and Loverz Gadgets, who successfully punched the final two wildcard tickets available in the region. Their qualification highlights the remarkable depth and increasing competitiveness of the Mindanao basketball landscape, marking a substantial departure from previous eras when regional representation was often overlooked or underestimated.
The Vital Role of Regional Basketball Programs
This championship victory underscores precisely why regional programs like those organized by the NBTC hold such importance in Philippine sports development. While national championships ultimately crown the country's top team, it is the regional tournaments that perform the essential groundwork: identifying emerging talent, honing competitive instincts, and providing young athletes with meaningful high-pressure game experiences.
In Mindanao specifically, these events serve an even broader purpose by decentralizing sports opportunities and demonstrating that elite basketball development is not confined to any single geographic area. The Oroquieta finals represented more than just trophy presentation—they validated the aspirations of players dreaming beyond provincial boundaries and showcased communities rallying behind grassroots sports initiatives.
Mindanao's Growing Basketball Presence
As RSY prepares to lead Mindanao's charge at the National Finals, one conclusion has become unmistakably clear: regional basketball excellence has evolved beyond being merely a stepping stone. It has transformed into a formidable force ready to challenge established programs, compete at the highest levels, and claim its rightful place on the national basketball stage.
The championship victory sends a powerful message that Mindanao basketball is prepared to compete nationally, with RSY's triumph serving as both inspiration and evidence of the region's growing basketball prowess. Congratulations extend to Coach Eric Altamirano and the entire NBTC organization for their continued commitment to developing basketball talent across all Philippine regions.
