DEFENDING St. Ignatius de Loyola Cup champion Kings 005ers and last season’s runner-up Wolves 007ers will renew their rivalry as they are set to collide in tonight’s main event of the 9th Xavier University High School Alumni Basketball Association (XUHS-ABA) at XUHS Pueblo covered courts.
Both the Kings and the Wolves became arch-nemesis since facing each other in last season’s final that went to a deciding game 3.
Only, the 005ers snagged the Loyola Cup title after pulling a breather in the final seconds to beat the 007ers in a slim margin.
The Kings, formerly the Jammers 2005, will summon the troika of Jay Manulat, Jet Yaranon and lawyer Joey Abbu for team leadership.
The Wolves will have Ephraim “Atom” Dahilan and Jawo “Wajo” Demecillo in the frontlines when they face the Kings at 8:15 pm tonight in court 2.
“Whoever wins, for sure they are testing the waters for possible adjustments if ever they meet again in the final. That is, if,” said the undisputed league commissioner Dhon Lazo.
Meanwhile, IAM 98 and XUHS 2001 will try to rebound from their opening loss last week as they gun for win number one against their respective foes in tonight’s curtain raiser matches at 6:45 pm.
IAM 98 lost to the Horsemen 2002, while 001ers were slapped with a Php 1,000 fine for forfeiting their match against Alumni 2000.
The 98ers take on Batch 2000 in the curtain raiser game at court 1, while 001ers tackle on the 99ers at court 2.
League favorite Gamba 97ers will test the mettle of the Horsemen as they collide each other at court 1 at 8:15 p.m. (JJF)