San Beda’s Mark San Buenaventura. Handout/PYBC.MANILA — The future of local hoops was on full display as Grupong Bedista-San Beda outlasted Mapua University, 76-68, to capture the Philippine Youth Basketball Championship (PYBC) Season 2 presented by Growee Under-18 crown on Saturday at the Central Recreation and Fitness Center in Quezon City.
The Red Cubs became the inaugural PYBC U18 titlists behind Finals MVP and Growee Player of the Game Mark San Buenaventura, who starred on both ends with 16 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
“Lahat po kami all heart sa preparations namin para sa championship na ’to,” said Buenaventura. “Naging disciplined lang po kami.”
Also stepping up for San Beda, which was coached by Coach of the Tournament Britt Reroma, was Dwayne Nonato with 18 points and five assists, while Renz Basilio and Cyrus Berdan chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The defeat was the first of the tournament for Mapua, which entered the Finals unbeaten after winning its first five games, including a 68-60 victory over San Beda in the eliminations of the PYBC, which is backed by Growee, Ceelin Plus, HydroAid, Celeteque DermoScience, Myra, pH Care, Enervon, and Alaxan FR.
Tobby Orbista paced the Red Robins with a game-high 21 points, while Chris Parame and Jade Alanza added 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Aces Solar D'Generals claimed the Under-16 championship after erasing a 13-point deficit to stun Grupong Bedista-San Beda, 83-82, in an overtime thriller.
“Tinalo nila kami nung first round, kaya importante po talaga ito,” said Finals MVP Zion Aguilar, who finished with 25 points, including the game-tying three-pointer late in the extension, along with five rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
Jaden Roxas contributed 15 points and five rebounds, Xeron Dizon scored 12 points, while Adrie Ancheta nearly posted a triple-double with nine points, nine rebounds, nine assists, and five steals.
For San Beda, Julius Rubia impressed with 23 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in the loss. Shawn Quilala and Cris Basaya scored 12 points apiece, while Vien Argonza and Stephen Uy added 11 each.
In the Under-14 Finals, Grupong Bedista-San Beda prevailed over Scrillah Kings, 90-82, in another overtime contest as Finals MVP Elijah Escoto took over in crunch time to finish with 17 points and two rebounds.
“I just made the right decisions,” said Escoto, who scored 11 of his 17 points in the extra period, highlighted by three crucial triples. “Wala pong nag-give up sa amin.”
Patrick Tumbaga led San Beda with 22 points, five rebounds, and five assists, Xian Latay added 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Jared Ramos anchored the paint with 12 points and 18 rebounds.
Scrillah Kings, meanwhile, got 20 points, five rebounds, and three assists from Jacob Dupet. Kirov Acedo chipped in 14 points, Yuebert Enciso had 12, while Markus De Guzman added 10.
In the Under-12 Finals, Converge Super Fiber x Coach T raced to a commanding start and never looked back in a 77-50 rout of Travis Generals.
Finals MVP Kiefer Manguiat tallied 17 points and eight rebounds as Converge led by as many as 31 points in the U12 Finals of the PYBC, which is also backed by Oak Group of Companies, Team Access-Official Nike Partner, Goodday Friz, Aces Solar, Smart Sports, and The Printerie.
Yuan Adane and Carl Aaron Reyes added 11 points each for Converge, while Kane Pananganan and Majell Bico paced Travis Generals with 17 and 10 points, respectively.