Xavier School alumni featured in the book launch of “Homegrown: A Celebration of Xavier Sports” last Monday, April 4 at the Angelo King Center inside Xavier School in San Juan. Pictured are Jean Alabanza, Jerry Ngo, Eric Yao, Joseph Yeo, Jett Manuel, Jeron Teng, Kyles Lao, Jarrell Lim, Patrick Syquiatco, Chris Tiu, Xavier Alumni Association, Sports Vice President Oliver Gan, and co-host Eilien Shi. PICTURES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
MANILA, Philippines – Chris Tiu, Joseph Yeo and Jeron Teng shared their fond memories of unforgettable moments while playing in the PBA. But before that, they were all rough diamonds from the Xavier School.
Their path to national basketball stardom is among the stories chronicled in the book “Homegrown: A Celebration of Xavier Sports,” which was released earlier this month.
“This is a great way to tell the stories of the past…and let none of this be forgotten,” reclusive Tiu told reporters during an event at the Angelo King Center in the gym. school in the city of San Juan.
“This is very heartwarming, you know. Being grouped with athletically successful Xaviers, I’m just happy to be here,” said Teng, whose 104-point beat Grace Christian College in 2011 was recorded in the book.
“For me, this is a way to share what happened to my child, A lot has been passed down or retold. We now have it as a book, “Tiu, who currently has two daughters and is trying to improve her golf swing.
“I think it’s a great project to recognize past athletes at Xavier School who have made it to the college, national and professional levels. It is testament to the school’s program that has evolved over the years,” added Tiu.
Teng’s brother Jeric also appears in the book and stars Yeo, who was Tiu’s teammates in multiple versions of Xavier Stallions before they eliminated it in UAAP.
The book also highlights other Xavier productions, who have gone on to forge their way in other sports, such as Patrick Syquiatco (ice hockey), Jerry Ngo (soccer) and Daniel Go (wushu) with others.
Other notable basketball players featured in the book are Isaac Go, Gab Banal, Jett Manuel and Kyles Lao.
“Sport is one of the best ways to develop an individual because values can be learned. That shows the school’s priority, not only academically, but sport is an integral part of the priority,” said Tiu.
“It’s our way of saying thank you to Xavier, and hopefully inspiring the students now,” said Oliver Gan, a former junior golf champion who is now an advisor to the Game Council and Recreation and Xavier School’s vice president of athletics in the Alumni Association.
The 354-page coffee table book by Rick Olivares is available at the AAXS office. Principal of Xavier School, Fr. Aristotle C. Dy, SJ, Mighty Sports boss Cesar Wongchuking, and AAXS presidents Reginald Yu and Ed Gatchalian also supported the project.
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