The first-ever East Asia Super League (EASL) Elite Future Championship has found its first champion—and the trophy is headed to the Philippines.
Representing the country, the Cebu City All-Stars etched their names in history after defeating Macau, 61-52, in the championship game of the inaugural 15-and-under tournament at Kai Tak Sports Hall in Hong Kong on Saturday.
The victory capped a memorable run for the young Filipino squad, which not only conquered the competition but also became the first team to lift the newly introduced EASL Elite Future Championship trophy.
Beyond the title, the triumph showcased the rapid chemistry the team developed in a short period of time, something that stood out to Cebu standout Derek Wenceslao.
“I love these guys. We only had eight weeks of training and we built friendship and love. These guys are like my brothers already,” Derek Wenceslao said with pride, holding up the trophy. “We’re really happy to be here right now.”
Cebu controlled much of the contest by relying on disciplined defense and balanced offense, entering the fourth quarter with a comfortable 49-42 cushion.
Macau, however, refused to fold.
The hosts opened the final period with a spirited 9-4 run that sliced the deficit to just two points, 53-51, threatening to erase Cebu’s hard-earned advantage.
With momentum beginning to swing, Kent Labitad delivered the game’s biggest shot.
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The tournament MVP calmly buried a three-pointer with 2:50 remaining, restoring a five-point cushion and allowing Cebu to regain complete control before closing out the historic victory.
Labitad finished with 22 points, five rebounds, and three assists to earn Most Valuable Player honors, while Venz Nadela dominated inside with a double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds.
The pair’s stellar tournament performances also earned them spots on the Mythical Five.
Their reward did not end there.
Labitad and Nadela, together with fellow Cebuanos Dwayne Rojo, Derek Wenceslao, and McDome De Asis, will travel to Okinawa next month for a training program with the Ryukyu Golden Kings, providing another opportunity to further develop their games on the international stage.
For Cebu’s young stars, winning the inaugural championship was only the beginning. With international exposure already waiting, the historic title could serve as the launching pad for the next generation of Philippine basketball talent.
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