Defensive ace Santi Romero and Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Mark Sarza stepped up and steered the Phenom Bluefire to a 66-62 escape of the hometown bets University of Cebu to rule the Sinag Liga Asya Junior World Showcase 23-Under Championships at the Cebu Coliseum on Sunday.

Both named to the tournament Mythical Five, Sarza spearheaded the attack on the offensive end for Phenom while the 6-foot-3 Romero, a member of De La Salle University training pool, anchored the pesky Bluefire defense all throughout the five-day competition.

Sarza threw his weight around and collected 15 points and 16 rebounds — including some crucial plays down the stretch that quelled the Webmasters rally — earning him the Finals MVP honor.

Romero, a former Gilas Youth member, was a monster on the defensive as he anchored the team’s defensive efforts, emerging as the crew’s designated import stopper all-tournament long.

And he did it with no complaints.

A fan-favorite throughout the competitions, with his radiant personality and good looks, Romero embraced the challenge of guarding many of the event’s top international scorers behind his pesky on-ball pressure, disciplined positioning, and hustle plays which impact go beyond the stat sheet.

During his National Collegiate Athletic Association days with La Salle Greenhills, he finished No. 2 in steals department while also figuring well in the rebounding department.

Held from 1 to 5 July in Cebu, the Sinag Liga Asya Junior World Showcase 2026 brought together 50 teams and nearly 1,000 players from the Philippines, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, providing a world-class stage for the next generation of basketball talent.

Fully recovered from the injuries that derailed his dream of playing for the Green Archers in the University Athletic, Romero hopes to finally realize his dream with this solid performance.