Expect more drama in ABA season 9 hoopfest

ANOTHER season unfolds as the Xavier University High School Alumni Basketball Association (XUHS-ABA) Season 9 officially opened on June 23 at the XUHS covered courts in Pueblo township.

Just as it opened, there were some who still felt the sting of season 8 that ended in March or some three months ago.

Moving on was not that easy for Gamba 97ers as their nightmarish finals defeat against XUHS 2001 in the XUHS-ABA St. Peter Faber Cup last season scarred their hearts.

Title favorites 97ers were too excited when they reached to their second final appearance.

The whole alumni community was already expecting that they would finally have the first ever taste of the championship cup when they faced the 001ers in the final.

But, the whole St. Faber Cup division including the five-time ABA champions XUHS 99ers were stunned when the hungrier 2001 emerged as last season’s winner.

“We were just too excited that time, but we have moved on. But hey, it’s not the end of the world and we are still around especially another season begins,” said 99ers valuable scoring machine Niku Benson Valles, who is currently based in Manila.

The 97ers was in a sloppy start last season, dropping to last place with 0-5 win-loss record.

With Valles around for valuable reinforcement, Gamba improved their standing to second place at the end of the elimination and even pulled a fierce seven winning streak.

But all is history.

All the 97ers can do is how to go back to the top and figure out who could be their toughest rivals for the title.

The defending champion 001ers will always be a title threat as they are closely working on with multi-titled coach Rey Dangcal of the Southern de Oro Philippines College (SPC) Sharks.

The 99ers were more of the bleeding Romeos as they will be out for revenge and seek their sixth ABA ring.

Philip Moradas, XUHS 99’s formidable forward and now based in Australia, witnessed how his teammates faltered against Gamba in the crossover round during his vacation in hometown Cagayan de Oro.

Moradas insisted to suit up for that game, but was barred by the rules that every player must have played in the elimination round.

Everything will change this season as the whole squad will be summoning their valuable players abroad.

Like Moradas, Canada-based Harvey Neri is working out his schedule for vacation here to catch up in the elimination round and in time for the crossover round.

Mitch David, Dyndrich Balog and John Realista are among those working abroad and are laying their vacation plans in order to play in the hotly contested ABA.

“I welcome that development and these guys will give us high percentage in the team. I hope they could make it in time,” said Albert Montenegro, himself a former forward for the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors.

So, what would it be for the 97ers if these are the probable cards they will meet soon in the crossover?

No doubt, red-hot Dexter Latosa is a valuable guard for them. But, they are going to need more than that and have to recall the whole cavalry to meet their dreams of winning their first title.

Will Andrew Neri and ex-San Miguel Beer forward Bitoy Omolon finally be playing more games in the elimination including in the semifinal and to the final this time around?

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