Xavier, DLSZ win BBI cage crowns

MANILA, Philippines – Xavier School nipped La Salle Antipolo, 97-85, to win the Sulit.ph Breakdown Basketball Invitationals at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center.

In a closely fought finals, the Golden Stallions managed to stay slightly head above water in the first half of play then put a little cushion between themselves and LSA in the third period to take the win.

Peeco Napenas tallied 30 points, six rebounds and six assists in leading Xavier to the crown while John Durante and Keith Wongchuking each added 17 for the win.

LSA was led by Liam Jaymalin, who finished with 19 points.

La Salle Antipolo’s Cy Bularin and Ernest Geronimo, San Benildo’s Edward Labayen, Xavier School’s Peeco Napenas and Letran’s Allen Malupay were all named to the Mythical Five selection of the division. Bularin was named the Best Defensive Player while Napenas took home the Most Valuable Player award.

Over at the Under-11 division, the De La Salle Zobel Juniors Archers bagged the championship at the expense of brother school College of San 78-60.

Kiefer Alas, the youngest son of Phoenix coach Louie Alas, top-scored with 33 points in the rout. Alas also added nine rebounds and four assists to his overall tally.

DLSZ was never seriously threatened as they bushwhacked San Benildo from the opening tip; going up 46-19 after 20 minutes of play. The second half was a closer match but the Junior Archers fended off all of San Benildo’s attack to win running away.

Named to the Mythical Five of the Under-11 division were Alas and his teammate Daryl Valeavilla, who scored 10 points in the title game, College of San Benildo’s LeBron Manding and Emer Vales, and Xavier School’s Irus Chua. University of the Philippines Integrated School’s King Gammad was named Best Defensive Player while Manding took home the Most Valuable Player award.