MANILA, Philippines - The AMA Junior Team tripped Xavier School anew, 80-77, and advanced to the finals of the 2014 Got Skills 17-under tournament at the Xavier gym.
Five-peat Jr. PBA champion coach Mark Herrera’s wards checked the fancied Xavier dribblers on the latter’s home turf with a crippling defense to remain unbeatean with seven straight wins since the elimination round.
The AMA Juniors also defeated Xavier HS, 55-51, in the preliminaries to emerge the top seed and gain outright entry to the semis.
The Junior Titans, composed 10 new recruits from the public schools in line with sports program of Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and AMA team owner, Ambassador Amable R. Aquiluz V, stormed past Ateneo’s PAYA and PRADA teams, San Beda Alabang, San Benildo, St. Jude Catholic School and Xavier.
“Defense is the key in this win. Sweeping the eliminations is a huge achievement and unexpected for the boys and beating Ateneo, San Beda Alabang and Xavier is a credit to the their perseverance,†said Herrera, who is also coach of the Phl Growee Under-13 that will see action in Cebu this November.
The AMA sports program focuses on providing athletic scholarships particularly to public school students who want to pursue a computer education. The program is headed by first vice-president Arnel Hibo and Herrera, the school’s sports director.
Herrera is assisted by Benjie Diswe, Edwin Ancheta, Eugene Bautista and Bobby Andaya. The team is supported by Jhonny Rockets, AMA Bank, Quiznos and Buddha Bar.