Taho Story Sigma Under 11 remained unbeaten in the 1st Philippine Youth Basketball Championship, tallying an impressive victory on Sunday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Led by Glenn Mikael Mabulac’s 14 points, Taho Story improved to 2-0 after overcoming D2M Sportswear Grind, 66-41, for an early lead in their division.
Meanwhile, Xavier Christian Jeongco and Pierre Kyler Pesa scored nine and eight respectively for D2M, but these weren’t enough as they fell in their first PYBC match.
Also in U11, Converge Super Fiber x Coach T dominated Lev Construction Full Potential, 91-39 for a winning debut.
Blake Markus Luna had a team-high 18 points with four steals and two assists, John Marion Wilson Jr. followed with 13 points, Kobe Pierre Andre Galang was solid with 10 points, eight boards, five steals, and two dimes, and Allen Pananganan listed 10 rebounds with seven points and two assists in the win.
For Lev Construction, KD Allanza posted a 10-point, 10-rebound game with five steals in their first assignment
Completing the U11 matches was Buena Foods JSKLLBBLDVT’s 77-38 victory over Grupong Bedista & Co., their first of the tournament.
Dlare Simbulan starred for the victors with 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while providing him help were Alec Chua (12 points) and Word Topacio (10 points).
Over to Grupong Bedista & Co.’s side, Adam Mikhail Zafra finished with eight markers, five steals, and two boards in their second setback in as many outings.
To open Sunday’s Under-13 games, Jet’s Barbershop dumped EDMS Rizal Knights, 114-34, to improve to 1-1.
Patrick Tumbaga finished with 20 points, nine steals, six rebounds, six assists, and one block, Yubert Enciso scattered 16 markers, seven boards, six steals, and four dimes, Khalyl Reyes and Kirov Acedo respectively poured in 14 and 13, while Julian Baliwag and Gian Castro both scored 10.
For EDMS Rizal, Matthew Paraiso was the lone bright spot, tallying 17 markers, 17 boards, and two rejections in their first match of the tourney.
In another lopsided U13 clash, Smile 360 Bullies went past TOPS Mordeno, 66-43, to improve to 2-0.
Carl Rose Rodil headed Smile 360’s charge with 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Coi Aver Moncal had an all-around performance of eight markers, nine boards, six steals, and four dimes.
TOPS Mordeno leaned on Tobby Mordeno and Rich Bautista who respectively finished with 12 and 11 points in their debut match.
Closing out the U13 games, Chef’s Magic MLO Basketball remained unbeaten in two games after manhandling GTG Foundation Los Baños Gallants, 68-57.
It was Crixus Quijano’s turn to lead MLO this time around, scattering 11 points with five rebounds and three steals, while Jordan Dela Rosa closely followed with 10 markers, six boards, and a block.
Ram Angelo Lebornio led Los Baños with 16 points and three assists in their second loss in as many games.
In Under-15 action, Prime Ascension Medical Supplies San Anton used a second-half surge to defeat Lev Construction Full Potential, 67-58, and post their second victory in as many appearances.
