Energen MYBall semis kicks off

MANILA, Philippines - Teams fight for the right to face La Salle Green Hills in the finals as the stepladder semifinal round of the Energen Mini-Youth Ball Metro Invitationals fires off today at the Blue Eagle Gym.

The Junior Archers claimed the first championship slot outright as an incentive for completing a 7-0 sweep of the elimination round in both the Mini (9-11 age group) and Contender (12-14 age group) divisions.

Two Ateneo teams clash in the Mini games as the third-seeded Team A (5-2 record) and fourth-ranked Team B (4-3) battle at 9:30 a.m.

National University and Ateneo A, both with similar 5-2 cards in the eliminations, square off in the Contender semis duel at 11 a.m.

Spicing up the Final Four this weekend is the the Energen Go-Fruit Father and Son 2Ball Shootout sidelight event starting at 8:30 a.m. today.

Featuring father-and-son pairs from all 16 participating teams, the event supported by TaosPuso Foundation and TriDharma Marketing Corp. and organized by MYBall Inc. aims to promote the development of youth sports, camaraderie and sportsmanship.

The winner of first semifinal Contender match between the Blue Eaglets and the Bullpups will quickly get back into action tomorrow (Jan. 27) against No. 2 seed Lourdes School Mandaluyong (5-2).

In the mini semis, second-ranked Xavier School (6-1) will take on the winner between the two Ateneo squads at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday also at the Blue Eagle Gym.

The championship round kicks off on Feb. 2 at the LSGH gym.