Romwel Anzures

Human Nature’s Christian Mercado in action. PYBC Photo.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781152969565IMG_1156.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Human Nature’s Christian Mercado in action. PYBC Photo. MANILA — Christian Mercado was the hero as Human Nature Under-16 escaped the Smile 360 Bullies, 68-65, for its breakthrough win in the Philippine Youth Basketball Championship (PYBC) Season 2 at the Villar Coliseum in Las Piñas.</div>Mercado hit the game-winning three-pointer and finished with 10 points, four steals, and three assists as Human Nature snapped its two-game skid in the PYBC.Also starring was Growee Player of the Game Isaac Purunggan, who tallied 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks in the tournament.Miguel Uno del Monte led Smile 360 with a game-high 20 points, but his efforts went for naught as their 20-point comeback fell short. The Bullies remained winless in two games.In the other U16 match, Aces Solar x D’Generals took down Golden Caha-Mafia, 105-97. Xeron Dizon starred with 19 points, eight rebounds, and four assists as Aces Solar improved to 2-1, while Jaden Roxas and Zion Aguilar added 18 and 17 points, respectively.Earl Murphy fired a game-high 28 points with six assists and four rebounds, while Hailey Nido added 24 points, five boards, and three dimes for Golden Caha, which fell to 1-2.Completing the U16 games, Drel’s Lechon x MJB dominated Hooplab-MCBA, 82-55, as Jomari Luna listed 13 points, five steals, and three rebounds, while Goodluck Okebata notched 12 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and two steals to help their team improve to 2-1.Claudius Cruz impressed with 26 points, four rebounds, and six steals, while Zairon Martin followed with 16 points and 10 boards, but Hooplab dropped to 1-3.In Under-14 action, the Smile 360 Bullies escaped FB Sarao-Rizal Magis, 81-77, as Kurt Martinez and Coi Moncal posted 19 and 17 points, respectively, to improve to 2-0.On the other hand, Matt Tambiga starred with 31 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, but those were not enough as FB Sarao-Rizal Magis absorbed its second straight loss.Still in U14, Nilvan’s Rizal Knights moved past Hooplab-MCBA, 81-71, to improve to 1-1. Neo Velacse led his squad with 21 points, 15 rebounds, eight steals, and three assists.For Hooplab, Trish Peñas had an all-around outing of 17 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, but they fell to 0-2.Also in U14, Lukkas x Jtags overwhelmed Cordsteel Builders-JVM, 82-61, behind Jordan Tagle’s 22 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, and Linus Labayani’s 17 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, to notch their first win in two games.Leiam Osorio led Cordsteel Builders with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, while Braian Napili added 12 points and four assists in their first loss in two games.In Under-18, Mapua University remained perfect through four games after defeating Pria CPA Review Center, 85-59, with Khian Luneta and Rowie Cabañero pouring in 13 points apiece.Pria CPA absorbed a loss in its debut as Mikhail Tobias was the lone player in double figures with 13 points.Lastly, D’Generals x Pro Dimes dumped 1118 Autospa Dragons, 91-58. Anakin Isip led the way with 14 points, eight rebounds, and two assists as D’Generals x Pro Dimes picked up their first win in two outings.1118 Autospa remained winless in three games despite Jhon Ivan Balladares and Carl Aala scoring 13 points each.

Christian Mercado was the hero as Human Nature Under-16 escaped the Smile 360 Bullies, 68-65, for its breakthrough win in the Philippine Youth Basketball Championship (PYBC) Season 2.

Christian Mercado was the hero as Human Nature Under-16 escaped the Smile 360 Bullies, 68-65, for its breakthrough win in the Philippine Youth Basketball Championship (PYBC) Season 2.

Mercado the hero as Human Nature overcomes Smile 360 in PYBC U16

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

Mercado the hero as Human Nature overcomes Smile 360 in PYBC U16

ABS-CBN News

Published June 11, 2026 12:59 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

ABSSports

PYBC

Human Nature

Smile 360

Mapua

NCAA

San Beda

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.