Xavier triumphs in Got Skills tiff

MANILA, Philippines - Xavier School won two more divisions last Sunday, bringing to four the total number of titles it snared in the first Got Skills Age Group Basketball Showdown at the Xavier School Sports Complex in San Juan.

The Golden Stallions beat the Marist School side, 62-53, to clinch the 12-under crown while their 11-under squad bested San Beda-Taytay, 46-43.

Xavier School earlier won the 10-under and 9-under championships.

Chiang Kai Shek College captured the 13-under crown with a 60-51 romp over National U.

Diego Alandy-Dy fired 26 points to lead Xavier past Marist and went on to bag the Finals MVP honors while Ryan Yu took the top plum in the 11-U class after scoring 10 points and leading the Golden Stallions past the SBC-Taytay side in the 12-U category.

Joshua Ramirez dished out 19 points and snared 10 rebounds to cop the Finals MVP plum as he powered the CKS Dragons past the NU Bullpups in the 13-U side of the event backed by Chris Sports, SKLZ Philippines, Fitness and Athletics Company, No Curfew Watch Store, Wize and Ope Watch, and Goody Gulp Milk Drink.

In the battle for third place, La Salle-Zobel drew 11 points from Joshua Espina as it defeated San Beda-Alabang in the 12-under event, while Marist got 24 points from Jethro Escoto after they won over San Beda-Alabang, 62-54, in the 11-under.

Yu was named a member of the 11-under Mythical Five with Jacob Cortez (CSA), Escoto (Marist), Joshua Rafael Lazaro (San Beda-Taytay), Miguel Roy Tan (Xavier) and Nathan Tan (San Beda-Taytay). Escoto took the No Curfew, Wize and Ope Watch League MVP plum.

Dy was included in the 12-under Mythical 5 with Gabriel Flores (SBC-Alabang), Benedict Rigor (CSA), Jose Adrian Antonio (Marist) and Gab Reyes (La Salle-Zobel).

Ramirez is in the 13-under Mythical 5 with Joshua Diomar Dimaculangan (LSGH-PAYA), Franz Jacob Lao (LSGH-Prada), Roland Santos (La Salle-Zobel), Rhayyan Amsali (NU) and Joshua Ramirez (CKSC).