Mateo Carpio, son of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, delivered a standout performance to lead Pilipinas Microsmith Davao Eaglets to a dominant 117-33 victory over the Junior Boomers in the Under-13 division of the 2026 Sinag Liga Asya Junior World Showcase in Cebu City. Carpio earned Player of the Game honors after recording 19 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
Davao teams shine in tournament opener
Pilipinas Microsmith opened its campaign with the tournament's most lopsided win, fueled by a balanced offensive attack and relentless defense. The team seized control early and never allowed its opponent to recover. The victory builds on the squad's recent success overseas, where it swept the International Youth Basketball Tournament in Jeju Island, South Korea, including a 99-11 championship win over Korean club Samsung Bandung.
God's Gift Mountain Resort Davao also started strong, defeating Roces Basketball of the United Arab Emirates 63-37 on Tuesday at Magnum Sports Court 1. Quin Estefan Alinsonorin led the winners with 14 points, nine rebounds, and three steals, while Jheldan Khent Mariquit added 10 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Roces was paced by Dudly Matthew Villareal with 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and four steals, and John Achilles Peñalosa chipped in eight points and 10 rebounds.
Papa G Basketball splits first two games
Another Davao-based squad, Papa G Basketball Davao, opened with a 76-47 win over Team Mighty David of the UAE before falling 56-45 to New York BSA in its second game. Jeric Langamon earned Player of the Game honors in the opener with 14 points, six rebounds, and one assist. The team now holds a 1-1 win-loss record.
The strong start by Davao's Under-13 teams highlights the city's growing reputation as a leading center for youth basketball development in the Philippines. Three Davao-based clubs are competing in the international showcase against teams from the Philippines and abroad.
Phenom Philippines stays unbeaten in U-23 division
In the Under-23 division, Dabawenyo coach Jess Linus Evangelio led Phenom Philippines to a 64-59 victory over the University of Cebu Webmasters on Thursday morning at Sawang Calero Gym. Joncel Borjal scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds to power Phenom, which improved to 2-0 after opening with a 44-18 rout of WLC Mustangs. Ricofer Sordilla led the Webmasters with 20 points, including four 3-pointers, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
“We just need to be in the top two of our group to reach the knockout round,” Evangelio told SunStar Davao in a Messenger interview. Evangelio, who guided the Davao Region boys' basketball team to the 2025 Palarong Pambansa championship, heads a coaching staff that includes 2026 Palarong Pambansa champion coach Jasper Magno of Calabarzon as assistant coach, along with Ion Angeles. Anthony Brodett, founder of the Phenom Championship Clinic, serves as team manager. Phenom was scheduled to face New York Ascend 23U-A later Thursday as it sought to remain unbeaten.
The Sinag Liga Asya Junior World Showcase runs from July 1 to 4 at venues including the Cebu Coliseum, University of San Carlos Gym, Sawang Calero Gym, and Magnum Sports courts, bringing together top youth basketball teams from the region.
