NU, 2 others take Got Skills opener

MANILA, Philippines - National University, Marist School and Chiang Kai Shek repulsed their respective rivals to lead the opening day winners in the first Got Skills Age Group Basketball Showdown at the Xavier School Sports Complex in San Juan.

AJ Amsali fired 30 points and hauled down nine rebounds to emerge the game’s best player as the NU Bullpups beat the La Salle-Zobel side, 65-51, in Group A of the 13-under action with the Marist and CKS.

Jeoffrey Gayda scored 26 points and had five boards for Marist, which toppled San Beda-Taytay, 64-60, while Joshua Ramirez drilled in 11 points for CKS, which routed La Salle Greenhills-Prada, 62-48.

The event drew a total of 1,320 kids for the 10-weekend cagefest, backed by Chris Sports, SKLZ Philippines, Fitness and Athletics Company and Goody Gulp Milk Drink. 

In Group B, Diliman Preparation School, with Amcus Araza scoring 14 points, stopped San Beda-Alabang, 43-33, while LSGH-PAYA outplayed DBTI, 68-42; and Carlito Bucu scored 11 points as Southeastern College edged Colegio San Agustin, 35-33.

In the 12-under side, St. Francis-Sta. Ana drew 13 points from Desa Lisa as it nipped St. Mary’s Quezon City, 38-34, while Xavier drew 12 markers from Lance Dy to defeat San Beda-Alabang, 36-28, and CSA got 20 points from John Rigor to beat San Benildeo, 48-34.

In the 11-under, Jethro Escoto made 15 points and six rebounds for the Marist, which smothered La Salle-Zobel, 41-15; San Beda-Taytay got 12 points from Nathan Tan to outlast Xavier, 33-29; and Joshua Yee shot 18 points as San Beda-Alabang edged SSA, 48-45.

In the 10-under side, Reggy Magtoto made six points for San Beda-Alabang, which thumped La Salle-Zobel, 23-16, while Marist drew 14 points from Lance Oiga to blast DBTI, 45-15, and Gari Tiongco had 12 for Xavier to demolish CSA, 49-35.