Khalifa Cebu bows out of NBTC Nat’l Finals in heartbreaking loss vs. Arellano Chiefs 

Khalifa Cebu | Contributed photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu’s last remaining team in the National Basketball Training Camp (NBTC) National Finals 2024, the Khalifa Cebu, bowed out of contention after a gallant stand against the Arellano University Manila Chiefs, 81-83, on Thursday, March 21, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Khalifa Cebu, composed of players from various Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) teams, followed in exiting the tournament as another Cebu-based team, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles was eliminated last Wednesday in Division 2. 

READ: Magis Eagles exit NBTC National Finals with dismal 0-3 slate

However, Khalifa Cebu of head coach Melo Banua put up a good fight before their heartbreaking defeat. 

Peter John Peteros once again top-scored for Khalifa Cebu with 19 points. Peteros, who is a player of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, also grabbed nine rebounds, gave six assists and one steal.

University of San Jose-Recoletos’ Alcher Obra and Judd Rueda scored 16 and 11 points apiece, while Cebu Roosevelt Memorial College (CRMC) Mustang Jerome Arboiz added 12 points. 

Chris John Dy finished with a game-high 24 points for Arellano, while Jaymark Lloren had 16 points, Johnray Ladica with 13 markers, and Robert Morado with 11 points. 

READ: NBTC National Finals: Khalifa-Cebu thrashes Triple Threat NZ

Khalifa was trailing throughout the three periods. They were down by 10, 53-63, at the start of the third period but managed to mount a comeback, cutting the lead to just 78-80 in the final two minutes, with Peteros topping it with a trey. 

They eventually tied the game at 80 with a minute left after Clyver Balucan scored a jumper. 

However, a costly turnover from Benedict Chan Brigoli led to a manageable two from Lloren with 20 seconds left in the game, giving Arellano the lead anew, 82-80. 

Khalifa Cebu stayed alive after Balucan was fouled and was sent to the charity stripe, splitting his two attempts, putting them at 81-82. 

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In fact, the ball stayed on Khalifa’s possession after securing a rebound from Balucan’s missed free throw, but Obra bricked a crucial layup with 10 seconds left.

As time winded down, Khalifa was forced to give up back-to-back fouls that eventually put Lloren on the free-throw line, which he also split. 

With 4.9 seconds left, Khalifa Cebu secured a rebound, with Arboiz managing to fire a go-to jumper but this didn’t go in.