Cagayan de Oro’s “A Team Pilipinas” defeated the Singapore Basketball Academy (SBA) to capture the Under-11 Division championship at the World Youth Championship in Singapore. Led by tournament MVP Rafael “Peja” Reyes, the team dominated from start to finish, never trailing behind Coach Arvin Martinez’s relentless and suffocating defensive system. The squad is composed mainly of elementary varsity players from Oro Christian Grace School, reinforced by select players from other schools across Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental. The victory marks a proud achievement for Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and Philippine youth basketball. Congratulations, Team Pilipinas!
Eleven-year-old Rafael “Peja” Cabusca Reyes, a Grade 6 student of Jasaan Central School in Misamis Oriental, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors. Wearing Jersey No. 21, Peja continues a family basketball tradition as the son of former Letran Squire and PSBA player Ralph Kirby Reyes.
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