CJ Generol did it all for Bukidnon-Stars Basketball Academy, delivering on both ends to steer his team to a thrilling 68-66 win over NCR-Passion Sports on Wednesday in Milcu Sports Got Skills Basketball U16 Talent ID Program at Greenhills West Clubhouse.
The 5-foot-4 floor general posted 25 points, seven assists, six steals, and two rebounds as Bukidnon improved to 2-1 in Group A while also keeping NCR-Passion Sports winless at 0-3.
Tied at 64-all in the dying moments, Bukidnon went to Rance Mandong, whose putback layup off a missed three-pointer from Niño Gantuangco sent them to a two-point advantage with 1:53 left.
15-year-old Generol then issued the dagger after completing a tough layup over a taller defender as Bukidnon cruised to a 69-64 cushion in the final 47 seconds.
NCR-Passion Sports, which was out to bounce back from two previous losses to Leyte and Cavite, had a chance to make it a one-point affair but Lera Urea was unable to complete a three-point play after missing a free throw.
Gantuangco helped the cause after flirting with a double-double of 17 points and nine rebounds alongside four assists, one steal, and one block while Madong and Jairus Ramos each finished with six markers.
In other Group A action, Cavite put the clamps on erstwhile undefeated Leyte with a 66-59 win behind a balanced offensive attack.
Alianne Guance paced Cavite with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals while team captain DJ Marasigan chipped in 12 markers, four dimes, and two boards as they improved to 2-1.
Leyte, which was coming off a pair of victories against NCR-Passion Sports and Bukidnon, fell to a similar 2-1 card.
In Group B, Pampanga-Big Dreams Ballers clinched an outright quarterfinals berth after pulling off a 65-57 win against Bulacan.
Ivan Lacsina and Kierdy Victoria led the offense with 10 points apiece with the latter also grabbing eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals as they ended the elimination round with a perfect 3-0 card.
Bulacan, meanwhile, dropped to 1-2 and will take on NCR-More Than Just Hoops Academy in a playoff for quarterfinal for the second and third-ranked teams.
Earlier, NCR-MTJH ousted the winless Pangasinan by marching to a 72-54 victory behind the lethal tandem of Prince Cariño and Liam Macapagal who tallied 17 and 12 points each.