Xavier five reigns in Philippine Cultural College invitational

MANILA, Philippines - The Alumni Association of Xavier School recovered in time to beat St. Stephen, 70-63, and complete a sweep of the Philippine Cultural College 85th Anniversary Inter-School Alumni Invitational Basketball Division A Championship at the San Andres Gym in Manila over the weekend.

With Terence Tang and Sammy Young on the firing end, the Caesar Wongchuking-mentored Xavier raced to several 16-point leads on the way to the Golden Stallions’ seventh straight victory in the event.

The title was the third in a row for the school, counting its victories in the Metro Manila Tiong Lian Cup where it topped the Junior and Aspirants divisions.

Bannered by former UST star Christian Luanzon and Mapua’s Jayson Pascual, St. Stephen rallied to within five points in the last six minutes. But Randy Chua and Marvin Sioco came through with clutch plays down the stretch with the former rifling in treys to ensure the win for the Joseph Whang-managed Golden Stallions.

“It was a total team effort and it was a good thing Randy came through with the triples in the fourth period,” said Wongchuking, who was assisted by former Ateneo star Jean Alabanza.