City Hoops Manila delivered a commanding performance on the international stage, ruling the Under-13 and Under-12 divisions of the 13th Asian Basketball Club Tournament held last weekend at the Seocho Sports Complex.
U13 squad sweeps field in dominant fashion
Bannered by tournament Most Valuable Player Zarren Driz of Bulacan, City Hoops’ Under-13 team completed a flawless campaign, sweeping all four of its elimination round assignments against Japan, Hong Kong, Samsung Bundang, and KCC Egis.
The young Filipinos carried their momentum into the knockout stage, dismantling Samsung Bundang, 59-39, in the semifinals before capping their title run with a resounding 62-15 victory over KCC Egis Korea in the finals.
City Hoops imposed a relentless, suffocating full-court press that forced multiple turnovers and set the tone early, leaving their Korean counterparts scrambling for answers.
“Feels good to get the championship this time after losing the previous three years. It’s sweeter this time around knowing that people still believe in our program for the team. It took us three years to finally win this year-born age group and we are proud of how the program finally reached its goals,” said head coach Pau Ycasiano, who was assisted by Storm Riva and Thomas Babilonia.
Aside from Driz, the U13 squad was composed of Hubert Bautista (UPIS), Massey David (Xavier Nuvali), Xian Latay and Anton Layco (San Beda Rizal) — the latter the son of LPU athletics director Dr. Allan, Alexander Chiu (British School of Manila), Rosanno Sotto and Caleb Delos Angeles (Home School Global), Andres Ojeda (La Salle Green Hills), Matteo Paltu-ob (FEU Diliman), and Sandro Yao (Claret School).
U12 team defends crown
Not to be outdone, the Under-12 squad successfully defended its Summer Championship title—previously won in Busan—by also sweeping the tournament.
City Hoops U12 dominated the eliminations, turning back Fastbreak Singapore, KCC Egis, Sketch Hong Kong, and AD Mongolia.
They then overpowered Anyang Junkwanjang, 39-21, in the semifinals before sealing the championship with a 39-23 triumph over KCC Egis Korea in the finals.
The team was led by U12 Tournament MVP Miggy Martires of La Salle Green Hills and U12 Summer MVP Ryley Floirendo of UPIS, alongside LSGH twins Thiago and Theon Cruz.
Also part of the lineup were Miggy Liao and Elija Cardenas (La Salle Green Hills), Hunter Tajon (Ateneo de Manila), and Travis Almiron, Liam Ochoa, Noah Zamora, Alfonso Inocando, and Ken Ojeda—all products of the La Salle Green Hills program.
The team was coached by Homer Bautista.
U11, U15 squads secure podium finishes
City Hoops’ Under-11 team settled for second place after a heartbreaking 39-36 loss to KCC Egis in the finals.
The squad featured Dlare Simbulan (La Salle Antipolo), Mickael Abellar (San Benildo Rizal), Primo Dela Concepcion (Xavier Nuvali), Nash Driz (Bulacan), Ruru Fajardo (ATIS), Luke Callanta (Raya School), and Andrei Genssi (CSBN).
Meanwhile, the Under-15 team finished second runner-up after a gritty campaign.
They opened the tournament with a come-from-behind 43-34 win over Samsung Jamsil Korea and also defeated SK Knights in the elimination round before absorbing a loss to Modun Mongolia. City Hoops bowed to Samsung Bundang, 55-34, in the semifinals and eventually placed in a tie for third and fourth in the battle for bronze.
The U15 roster included Kyle De Luna (Quezon), Sandro Sotto (Home School Global), Carlos Salazar (Xavier Nuvali), Nathan Alegria (FEU Diliman), Jhonzen Opiasa (Batasan High School), Dean Pacubas, Basty Soriano, and Marcus Silva (School of St. Anthony), Calix Hizon (OLOPSC), and Aps Agasser (Claret School).
Building global-ready players
Program director Homer Bautista emphasized that international exposure remains central to City Hoops’ long-term vision.
“With more international experience, our future basketball players will have an early understanding of how international games are played, especially the brand of play and officiating,” Bautista said.
The busy schedule continues for City Hoops Philippines in 2026, with planned competitions in Perth, Australia, for the World Youth Championship in April, Tokyo in May, California in June, South Korea in July, and Shanghai in October—further strengthening the program’s commitment to developing globally competitive Filipino talent.
