Gollena wins MVP as Phenom Perfects Singapore Title Run

Phenom-New Zealand Bluefire left no doubt about which team ruled the Under-23 field at the 2026 World Youth Championship in Singapore.

Behind a defense no opponent managed to solve and an MVP performance from EJ Gollena, the Philippine club completed a perfect six-game campaign by defeating Indonesia’s Dewa United, 53-28, in the Division 1 championship game on August 9 at UWCSEA East in Tampines.

Gollena delivered his best performance when the title was at stake, scoring a game-high 18 points as Phenom held Dewa United to five points in each of the first three quarters. Phenom carried a commanding 47-15 advantage into the final period before closing out the 25-point victory.

The former De La Salle University wing was named the U23 league MVP after emerging as Phenom’s leading scorer at 12.2 points per game. He was also selected as player of the game in each of the team’s last three contests, producing 17 points against 2XSG, 10 in the semifinal against Proform, and 18 in the final.

His closing stretch accounted for 45 points over three games and helped Phenom turn a strong preliminary-round performance into an international championship.

Dewa United’s senior team won the 2025 Indonesian Basketball League championship and competed in Basketball Champions League Asia-East in 2026.

Phenom never allowed its opponent’s reputation to affect the game. It opened a 15-5 advantage after one quarter, repeated the same score in the second, and then outscored Dewa 17-5 in the third to put the championship beyond reach.

The only time Phenom faced serious pressure during the tournament came a few hours earlier.

Proform led Phenom 11-9 after the first quarter of their semifinal and remained within one point at halftime, 20-19. Phenom responded by taking control defensively after the break, winning the second half 40-14 and the fourth quarter 24-7 to advance with a 60-33 victory.

That ability to adjust was one of the few things Phenom needed during an otherwise overwhelming run.

The team began its campaign with a 76-34 victory over Australia’s Pelicans Perth before routing Singapore United Basketball Academy, 98-31. It followed that with another 98-point performance in a 98-35 win over Best Shot, then completed a 4-0 preliminary round by defeating 2XSG, 85-41.

All four group-stage victories came by at least 42 points.

Across six games, Phenom scored 470 points and surrendered only 202, producing a cumulative point differential of plus-268. The team averaged 78.3 points while allowing just 33.7, translating to an average winning margin of nearly 45 points.

No opponent scored more than 41 points against Phenom, and every victory came by at least 25.

The player-of-the-game honors also reflected the different players who carried the team at various stages. Mark Sarza earned the recognition in the opener, Santi Romero received it in the next two victories, and Gollena claimed it in each of the last three.

Gollena, Romero and Sarza were joined on the championship roster by Devin Fikes Jr., Dale Ortega, Thirdy Malaga, Nico Mulingtapang, Peter Rosillo, Jolo Navarro, JC Espinosa, Ethan Alian and Dylan Despi.

Romero, Sarza, Mulingtapang, Rosillo and Ortega were also part of the Phenom side that defeated the University of Cebu, 66-62, to win the Sinag Liga Asya Junior World Showcase crown on July 5 at the Cebu Coliseum.

The World Youth Championship brought together 145 teams from 14 nations across age groups ranging from U10 to U23. Phenom’s path featured opponents from Australia, Singapore and Indonesia, giving its players another chance to compete outside their respective school programs.

For Phenom Sports Management founder Anthony “Brody” Brodett, however, collecting championships is only part of what the organization is trying to build.

“Phenom’s main focus is not the guys who made Team A. We’re there to guide them, but we’re more focused on development with the guys from high school, the guys from Team B and the guys in the transfer portal,” Brodett said.

“That’s where we push our development and focus, so those guys could go up to become Team A players and eventually go pro.”

Phenom has gradually grown beyond its identity as a training and player-management group, using local and international competitions to create opportunities for athletes at different stages of their careers.

The Singapore roster illustrated that approach. It brought together former UAAP champions, college transfers, recovering prospects and players still trying to earn larger roles with their respective schools.

“Phenom’s not just management. It’s a development program,” Brodett said. “We’re going to be joining a lot more leagues, competing in a lot more local and international tournaments.”

Singapore provided the latest trophy, but Brodett’s larger goal is to make sure the pathway does not end with the players already receiving attention. Phenom wants the success of its top team to help open doors for those still working toward their own breakthrough.