By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bobcats and the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts emerged as champions at the 4th Acster Cup Pasalamat sa Pag-asenso 2025 held at the Willy and Nolita Au Court of Bacolod Tay Tung High School in Bacolod City.

The Bobcats staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Scorpions/Kenn, 65-57, to rule the 13-and-under category.

Trailing 33-26 at halftime, the Bobcats leaned on Zion Gabriel Onggada’s 20-point effort to stay within striking distance after three quarters.

Lito Nelrey Mangilan then exploded in the final quarter to lead his team to the championship.

He finished with 24 points, with 14 coming in the fourth quarter, to be named MVP.

The Scorpions/Kenn were led by Charles Casipe with 21 points, while Remart Molabin added 11 markers.

The Mythical 5 for the 13-and-under division are Onggada, Mangilan, Emem Vivero, and Ruben Igdang of the Bobcats, and Casipe.

Meanwhile, the Thunderbolts-Willtrade secured the 11-and-under championship after scoring a 67-57 victory over the Scorpions/Kenn in the one-game championship match.

Charles Benedict Parohinog led the way for Tay Tung with 21 points, earning him MVP honors.

Jaireb Rhynon Punzalan added 13 points, while Andrei Colonia and Ervin Ezekiel Guadalupe scored nine points each.

MJ Pelegrino led the Scorpions/Kenn with 16 points, followed by Ryan Abesia and Andrei Comeros, who each scored 10 markers.

Despite their efforts, the Thunderbolts maintained control throughout the game and closed it out with strong team play.

Named to the 11-and-under category mythical team are Parohinog, Punzalan, Colonia of the Thunderbolts, as well as Pelegrino and Abesia of the Scorpions/Kenn.

Both the Bobcats and the Thunderbolts received the championship trophy and a cash prize of P50,000.

The first runners-up were awarded trophies and P30,000 cash prizes./ASC, WDJ