Xavier cagers power NCR to Palaro gold

MANILA, Philippines - Six standouts of multi-titled Xavier School, led by Christian Tyler Tio, powered the National Capital Region (NCR) to the gold medal romp in the elementary basketball competitions in the Palarong Pambansa in Dipolog City recently.

Backed by Mighty Sports Association (MSA) and mentored by Nicco Ocampo and Dr. John Edwin Sy, NCR capped its romp with a 68-57 victory over the taller Western Visayas squad in the finals.

MSA’s support to NCR was part of its grassroots sports development program. MSA has been supporting various sports projects nationwide. Just recently, it donated equipment and a set of uniforms in Koronadal City.

The Big City bets completed a six-game sweep of the competition with Tio bagging the MVP honors. In advancing to the finals, NCR outlasted the highly touted Central Visayas (Cebu) team.

Two other team members – Aljun Jay Melencio of LSM and Adolph John Salinas of Marist – won the best off-guard and best forward awards, respectively.

Other members of the team were Xavier’s Kyle Ong, Jordan Jacinto, Rylle Tee, Rendell Lee and James Lai, Ateneo’s Alfonso Rosales, Stella Maris’ Chris Mendiola, Southridge’s Jaime Cabarrus and Montessori-Valenzuela’s Daniel Atienza.