HOST Xavier University (XU) bested Ateneo de Zamboanga on Wednesday, November 27, by 22 points at the start of the prestigious Jesuit Athletic Meet (JAM) basketball competition at XU gymnasium, Cagayan de Oro City.

"It's a good start but we're looking forward to face Ateneo de Manila which is obviously a very exciting challenge for the local talents," said the XU Senior Crusaders coach Rocky Calingin, fully aware that the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles had just won the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men's basketball at the the expense of the University of Santo Tomas.

Calingin, however, said that only about five cagers from Ateneo de Manila's Team A will play here in the company of the Blue Eagles' Team B.

To be slated until November 30, the JAM sportsfest also includes events in volleyball and football.

"A gathering of athletes from five Ateneo schools in the country including Ateneo de Naga University and Ateneo de Davao University, this event happens every two years as one way of embodying Ignatian values through sports," said Clarence Josiah Cayetano R. Paderanga, chief deputy head and head coordinator of JAM 2019.