The 17-Under team of Xavier School and the 15-Under squad of Nazareth School of National University were able to dig deep and bring home gold in the on-going SMART City Hoops Summer Classic tournament.
Last Thursday, top-seed Xavier School Golden Stallions were able to escape the San Beda College-Alabang Red Cubs, 62-57, to win the 17-under championship.
This is Xavier’s second championship of this tournament presented by Chooks-to-Go, Mighty Sports, Rain or Shine Elasto Paint, and Wilson Basketball, winning the 10-under crown as well last May 26.
It was a close game all throughout as the Red Cubs, who had to go through the La Salle Green Hills Greenies in the semifinals, gutted it out with the taller Golden Stallions all throughout. Xavier’s defense though did the trick during the closing minutes of the game.
With Xavier clinging to a two-point lead, 59-57, with 20 seconds left, the Stallions were able to intercept Vico Villa’s pass that led to free throws for Batang Gilas stalwart Miguel Tan. Tan though split his charities to give Xavier a three-point edge.
Off two timeouts, San Beda-Alabang could not inbound the ball that resulted to a costly turnover and a Xavier victory.
Tournament Most Valuable Player Tan was limited to just nine points and six rebounds. Stepping up for the Golden Stallions was big man Darren Sytin, who had 13 markers and eight rebounds.
Hans delos Reyes led San Beda-Alabang with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. The Red Cubs though committed 27 turnovers that led to 27 Xavier points.
It was a grind-out affair in the 15-under Finals two days later as the NU Bullpups outlasted the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Squires, 45-36.
After trailing by a solitary point, 26-27, early in the final frame, the Bullpups went on an 8-0 surge sparked by second-generation cager Echo Laure.
Bradley Palmes and Carl Abanico tried to will Letran back but the Bullpups’ firepower proved to be too much. Back-to-back triples by Kim Tamayo and Jacob Militar stopped Letran’s momentum before Laure and Reinhard Jumamoy finished off the Squires.
Tournament MVP Kenji Duremdes had an off game, going field goal-less in the game. Jumamoy took charge for the Bullpups with 16 points and four rebounds, while Laure added six points and eight boards.
Palmes had a team-high nine points for the Squires.
The Scores:
17U Finals:
XS 62 – Sytin 13, Tan H. 9, Lim 9, Tan S. 8, Tanchenco 8, Yu 5, Alandy-Dy 4, Chenglay 0, Siggaoat 0, Chua 0.
SBC-A 57 – Delos Reyes 16, Armamento 10, Yee 6, Menor 6, Alquige 5, Merencillo 4, Morenos 4, Villa 3, Masilungan 3, Aquino 0, Arciaga 0, Cabrera 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarterscores: 16-14, 26-30, 40-45, 62-57.
15U Finals:
NU 45 – Jumamoy 16, Palacide 8, Laure 6, Militar 5, Tamayo 5, Gloria 2, Padilla 2, Duremdes 1, Paguiligan 0, Elijah 0, Viheya 0.
CSJL 36 – Palmes 9, Abanico 7, Atiyeh 7, Gueverra 3, Suansing 3, Valenzona 2, Balasabas 2, Manisic 2, Maglupay 1, Hernandez 0, Gonzales 0, Tablizo 0, Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 9-9, 13-16, 25-24, 45-36.
