EAC's Ian Cuajao delivers game winner as undermanned Team Heart overcomes Team Hustle in NBTC All-Star

Ian Cuajao of the Emilio Aguinaldo College delivered the game-winner as the undermanned Team Heart stole the game from Team Hustle, 95-94, on Saturday in the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) All-Star Game at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Adamson University's Mark Esperanza set up Cuajao for a triple from the corner to complete the come from behind victory for the team which missed captain Lebron Jhames Daep. 

Team Hustle still had 1.1 seconds to take the game but National University Nazareth School's Migs Palanca could not convert the lob from University of Santo Tomas' Joaqui Ludovice.

Aside from Daep, teammate Jan Roluna missed the match as the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA continues their preparation for the NCAA Final Four, while Jelomar Rota of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu also missed the game.

Cuajao had 15 points and five rebounds, while Fil-Am Nation Select-USA's Angelino Mark was a rebound shy from a double-double with 21 points and nine rebounds. UST's Koji Buenaflor added 16 points and nine rebounds for the 11-man team.

UAAP Season 87 MVP Kieffer Alas led Team Hustle as the captain with 19 points, while Ludovice had 21 points.

The NBTC All-Star is composed of the top high school prospects from the NCAA, UAAP, and the NBTC regional events.

Prior to this, Fil-Am Nation Select's Andrew Miller won the Dunk Competition, while Team Visayas’ Clyver Klir Balucan, Fitz John Cary Gonzales, John Loyd Martinez, and Jake Lordwin Yong won the Shooting Stars event.

Andrew Miller of Fil-Am Nation Select takes home the NBTC Dunk Contest title! @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/4iqUnHoqVb

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) April 5, 2025

FEU-D’s Liam Salangsang ruled the Three-Point Shootout, while Joey Panghulan from Top Flight Hoops-Canada clinched the top spot in the Skills Challenge.

The Girls' All-Star Game, meanwhile, saw Aliyahna Morris post 21 points and seven rebounds to propel Team Passion past Team Pride, 88-83.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News