SPROCKETS 95ers and Gamba 97ers will try to bounce back from an opening round loss in the Xavier University High School Alumni Basketball Association (XUHS-ABA) Season 9 tonight at the XUHS Pueblo covered courts in Cagayan de Oro City.
The Sprockets, the defending St. Francis Xavier Cup champion, missed the services of their big men like 6-foot-4 center-forward Paul “Shantao” Moreno the last time when they lost to the Strikers 96ers of Elich Alfante two weeks ago.
Playmaker Jan-Jan Geroy was the only one practically making noise for the Sprockets’ losing cause.
Paired against newcomer XU-HS Saints, the Sprockets are expected to show no mercy in their scheduled match at 8:15 p.m. in court 2, poised to give the guest squad another rude welcome just like the `91 Spartans did some nights ago.
“But we’re not affected at all. As I’ve said time and again, we’re here for fun and camaraderie win or lose,” said the Saints guard Carlo Dagalea.
The 97ers will go against defending St. Peter Faber Cup champion XUHS 2001 in the preliminary game at 6:45 p.m. in court 2.
Both had a history together as the 001ers snagged last season’s title after sweeping the 97ers in their best-of-three final.
In other games, five-time ABA champions 99ers will tangle with 2000 in the double header main event at 8:15 p.m. in court 1 with XUHS 2006 clashing with 2003.