FINALS MVP Mark Sarza combined with defensive ace Santi Romero to steer Phenom Bluefire to a 66-62 escape of the hometown bets University of Cebu (UC) and rule the Sinag Liga Asya (SLA) Junior World Showcase 23-Under Championships at the Cebu Coliseum on Sunday.
Sarza spearheaded the offense for Phenom while the 6-foot-3 Romero, a member of La Salle's training pool, anchored the pesky Bluefire defense all throughout the five-day competition. Both were named to the tournament's Mythical Five.
Sarza dominates
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, typified the team’s defensive efforts, emerging as the crew’s designated import stopper in the tournament that brought together 50 teams and nearly 1,000 players from the Philippines, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
Fully recovered from the injuries that derailed his dream of playing for the Green Archers, Romero embraced the challenge of guarding many of the event’s top international scorers behind his pesky on-ball pressure.
During his NCAA days with La Salle Greenhills, he finished No. 2 in steals department while also figuring well in the rebounding department.
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