TWIN upsets rocked the Xavier University High School covered courts after Batches 1991 and 1997 defeated two powerhouse teams in the 8th XUHS-ABA Basketball Tournament in Cagayan de Oro City last Saturday.
XUHS 1997 rebounded from a winless spell in four games after finally scoring their first, a stunning 60-54 conquest over St. Ignatius de Loyola defending champions Batch 1994.
Red-hot Jim Lim starred in 1997's first victory with 17 points while getting a lot of help from Chuck Cabrera and John Patrick Ong on both ends of the floor.
"The team's first win surely was a morale booster. We are aiming to come up with winning streaks in our next outings," said Batch 97 chairman Franz Dennis "Q-Q" Quiblat.
Batch 97's win thus shattered the ambition of the Jerome Pagute-led XUHS 1994 which is to duplicate its unbeaten record last season.
"Nasamdan sab nila ang akong batch but at least the loss gave us a reason to take out the pressure kay maka-stress kayo nga sige lang hunahuna nga mahuman ang liga nga walay pilde," said Dhon Lazo, a member of Batch 1994, which now shares the Loyola Cup lead at 4-1 win-loss card.
Another shocker was orchestrated by the Spartans from Batch 1991 after outlasting the heavily-favored XUHS 1995, 66-63.
Owen Ubay-Ubay fired 21 points, while enjoying the able support from Stan Borromeo and Anton Pabillore.
A 3-point bomb by Borromeo smashed a 63-all deadlock in the dying seconds of the ballgame.
"Mora’g kabado ang 1995 sa amoa kay kapilahan na namo sila, unya kusog baya sila," said Ryan Somo, a member of Batch 1991.
It was Batch 1995’s first defeat in four matches, while the Spartans improved at 3-2.
