By Jaime Joshua A. Frias II
Contributor
IAM 98ers finally swept the dust from their worst placing in previous years as they axed arch-rival XUHS 99 via 87-64 to cop third place in the XUHS Alumni Basketball League season 11 St. Faber Cup last Saturday at the Xavier University main campus.
Emilio ‘Juncals’ Callelero finished a triple-double with 25 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds to lead the 98ers in victory and bagged the Katinko player of the game.
Reinforcement came in late when they were much needed in the semifinals against XUHS 2000 of playing manager RJ Yacapin, but better late than never.
Zyril Chiva’s appearance last Saturday gave Callelero a needed hand to flex out in the low post and improved their spacing in the offensives. Alfredo Onico also provided enough passing.
“We were so unfortunate that reinforcement came late. It was (an) opportunity for us to move to the finals had they been around in the semis, especially Chiva, but third place is still good for us,” said 98 coach Viktor Ocampo.
Completing the casts present for 98 were Botong Carretas, Ryan Yacapin, Reagan Abbu, Julius Gatinao, Milber Alinas, Jerry Palen, Franklin Salvaña, Karl Salcedo, Royce Cabactulan, Niño Vega, and Ace Noble
IAM 98 was among the strong contenders during the league’s first year with them against 99 in the final.
The Supremos on the other hand also settled for third place after beating XUHS 92-93, 79-72 in the St. Francis Cup.
In the much-awaited headers, the finals in the two divisions will start on November 12.
Sprocket 95 will take on the Templar Knights for the St. Francis Cup, while Gamba 97 heads on XUHS 2000 in the St. Faber Cup.
