22/06/2026
MGC New Life Christian Academy Claims APYC U18 Championship in Ho Chi Minh City
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — Pilipinas MGC exacted sweet revenge on Next Gen Saigon, dominating the finals with a 61-45 victory to capture the Under-18 (U18) Division title of the Asia Pacific Youth Championship (APYC) Season 2, held at The American School from June 18 to 21, 2026.
The championship win was a complete turnaround from their preliminary meeting, where Next Gen Saigon handed Pilipinas MGC a 60-53 defeat during the elimination round.
Undeterred by the early setback, veteran head coach John Sia used the loss to motivate his squad, urging them to lock in and bounce back. Anticipating that Next Gen Saigon would be their ultimate roadblock to the crown, the coaching staff immediately went to work.
Coaches John and James Sia engineered crucial tactical adjustments ahead of the rematch, tweaking their offensive rotations and implementing a strict shadowing defense to stifle Next Gen Saigon’s perimeter shooters. Thanks to their thorough scouting, the Filipino ballers stepped onto the hardwood for the grand finale with absolute clarity on their offensive ex*****on and defensive assignments.
From the opening tip-off, Pilipinas MGC set the tone with relentless energy and a fierce hunger for redemption. Guided by the composed leadership and brilliant game planning of Coach John Sia, Pilipinas MGC steadily pulled away to seal the 16-point blowout and hoist the championship trophy.
Several Pilipinas MGC standouts were also honored with individual accolades for their stellar tournament runs:
📍Lucas Lo was named the tournament's Sixth Man of the Year for his spark off the bench.
📍Adam Uy earned a well-deserved spot in the Mythical Five.
📍Adrian Tan was crowned the U18 Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP). Tan served as the team's most consistent anchor, particularly on the defensive end, while his versatile inside-out offensive skill set proved to be the ultimate championship difference-maker.
Reflecting on the triumph, Coach John Sia credited the victory to a collective unit. "It was a total team effort," he said, while expressing his deep gratitude to the parents who traveled and cheered for the team. "Thank you, MGC Family."
Sports Director Coach James Sia also extended his heartfelt appreciation to the parents for making the trip possible, alongside his thanks to MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) for backing the team's journey from day one.
"Thank you to the school administration and to all the supportive parents for backing the players and the coaching staff from the initial planning of this trip up until this championship moment," Coach James Sia remarked.
With meticulous preparation and a resilient mindset, Pilipinas MGC flies back home to the Philippines as proud international champions.
We would like also thank Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas - SBP for their continuous support.
