The under-16 women's basketball team from Cagayan de Oro won the 2026 SBP 3x3 Pambansang Tatluhan National Finals, defeating NCR 2-Alabang 15-14 at SM Center Muntinlupa on June 28.
The roster, composed of student-athletes from Corpus Christi School, secured the national title over an NCR lineup that held a significant average height advantage.
The Cagayan de Oro squad entered the tournament as underdogs, rebounding from an early elimination-round loss to Davao to win consecutive single-elimination games in the playoff brackets.
Anika Guiao Siao led the closing offensive sequence for the championship team. Siao, who previously hit a buzzer-beating shot to advance Cagayan de Oro past the quarterfinals, converted the decisive basket in the final match.
With the team trailing by three points in the final seconds, teammate Zia Serino scored a two-point basket off an assist from Siao to narrow the deficit to one. Siao then forced an Alabang missed shot through tight defensive positioning.
Crystal Vince Amomonpon claimed the defensive rebound and passed to Siao, who made the go-ahead basket with five seconds left on the clock. Alabang failed to score on its final possession, concluding the match.
Justine Kate Rendon also contributed to the championship campaign, converting multiple three-point field goals during the team's semifinal victory against Zone 4-Cavite.
Coach Janeth Yanez attributed the victory to the team's execution speed and floor spacing, which mitigated their opponents' height advantages.
"Sobrang liit talaga ng girls ko at kailangan pabilisan ang laro," Yanez said.
The tournament win underscores the development of grassroots basketball initiatives in Cagayan de Oro and the broader Northern Mindanao region.
