ATHLETICS

Xavier in the Right Direction with

First Win
Matthew So (7G), Hoofprint Sports Writer

Posted Wednesday, 16-Nov-2005 8:47 AM  

      As the PAYA Mini-midgets season opened last Saturday November 12, the Xavier basketball team composed of Grades 5 and 6 students marked their first win of the year with a 56-36 victory over the Antipolo Lady Lourdes School (ALLS).

      Despite the considerable number of new players on the team playing their first ever game, nervousness was never seen in any of their faces as each one of them came out with confidence and pride. Under the strong play of veterans Bryan Tan, Donal Ong, EJ Dee and Daniel Jao, the Xaverians started out strong and took a commanding 23-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. They also got good minutes from Jeron Teng and Chase Tan who provided firepower off the bench. However, they relaxed in the second quarter as ALLS outscored them 6-14 bringing the score to 29-20 towards the end of the first half.

      With 1.7 seconds left in the second quarter, ALLS called a timeout to draw up a final play to end the half but Chase Tan derailed their plan with a great defensive effort. After halftime, both teams played evenly, trading baskets and making good plays at both ends of the court. The third quarter ended with Xavier in control 40-33. However as the fourth and final quarter started, the Xaverians never looked back and took the lead for good.

      The game ended with a big 20 point win for Xavier which will serve as a big boost for their confidence and team spirit. It was a well-deserved win for the team and hopefully they will be able to get the same results in their next games especially against other top teams like Ateneo and La Salle among others.

Go back to the top ^