Defensive ace Santi Romero and Finals MVP Mark Sarza delivered when it mattered most as Phenom-New Zealand Bluefire edged hometown favorite University of Cebu, 66-62, to capture the Sinag Liga Asya Junior World Showcase Under-23 Championship at the Cebu Coliseum on Sunday.
The championship carried extra meaning for Phenom, which dedicated the title to the late Rene Baterbonia, said Phenom founder Anton Brodett.
Sarza and Romero, both named to the tournament’s Mythical Five, spearheaded Phenom’s balanced championship run.
Sarza powered the offense while Romero anchored a relentless defense that became the team’s identity throughout the five-day tournament.
They also received crucial support throughout the campaign from Johncel Borjal, Nico Mulingtapang, Peter Rosillo, Dale Ortega, James Nacua, and Bonel Sacro, whose timely contributions on both ends of the floor helped Phenom navigate the field en route to the championship.
Sarza dominated the paint with 15 points and 16 rebounds, delivering several clutch baskets and key boards in the closing minutes to halt the Webmasters’ comeback attempt. His all-around performance earned him Finals MVP honors.
On the other end, Romero once again showcased why he is a defensive ace.
The former Gilas Youth standout and current member of La Salle’s training pool embraced the unenviable task of guarding the tournament’s top international scorers.
Whether matched up against bigger forwards or quicker guards, the 6-foot-3 wing consistently frustrated opponents with his on-ball pressure, disciplined positioning, anticipation, and relentless hustle — contributions that often went beyond what appeared on the stat sheet.
Romero never shied away from the toughest defensive assignments, doing so without complaint as he became the cornerstone of Phenom’s championship defense.
His performances also endeared him to the Cebu crowd, with the fan favorite drawing cheers throughout the tournament not only for his energetic style of play but also for his engaging personality.
His defensive prowess has long been evident.
During his high school career with La Salle Green Hills, Romero ranked second in the NCAA steals race while also emerging as one of the league’s top rebounders despite playing on the wing.
The squad was mentored by Palarong Pambansa-winning coaches Jess Evangelio, who steered his team to the 2025 title, and Jasper Magno, who followed it up by capturing the 2026 championship.
Held from July 1 to 5 in Cebu, the Sinag Liga Asya Junior World Showcase 2026 featured 50 teams and nearly 1,000 players from the Philippines, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, providing one of the region’s premier platforms for emerging basketball talent.
For Romero, the tournament title also marked another milestone in his comeback journey.
After fully recovering from the injuries that derailed his dream of suiting up for the Green Archers, the versatile defender now hopes his impressive showing in Cebu will help earn him a long-awaited opportunity to finally make his UAAP debut this coming season.
