MANILA, Philippines - Suntina ‘01, led by Sta. Lucia’s Joseph Yeo, is again tipped to rule the 2009 Highlands Steakhouse Cup of the Xavier Alumni Basketball League which started yesterday at the Jacinto Tiu gym of Xavier School in San Juan.
Out to spoil Suntina’s back-to-back bid in the premier Division I are the Chris Tiu and Woody Co-powered Pacific Online ’06, reigning Inter-City champion Mighty-San Juan ’04 of Mayor JV Ejercito and newly crowned Corporate Celebrity Cup champion Mighty Sports ‘73 and ‘94.
The Sunday-only tournament aimed at showcasing the best of Xavier basketball is sponsored by the famous Highlands Steakhouse of Tagaytay Highlands and Mall of Asia.
Suntina was playing Pacific Online while Mighty-San Juan was battling Carlo Tan-mentored 100 Plus (Class of 99) at presstime.
Mighty Sports, which is hoping to win its 10th title this year, drew an opening bye in the longest running alumni league in the country.
“It’s going to be a banner year for the XABL since there are 34 teams taking part in the event. Around 28 batches are now represented in the XABL, a record for our ever growing league,” said commissioner Sammy Uy, one of the prime movers in the growth of the XABL.