Ateneo wins PAYA Aspirants basketball crown after a 20-year dry spell

The Ateneo de Manila Junior High School Aspirants Basketball Team emerged as champion of the 2019 PAYA Aspirants division last Saturday, October 19, 2019. The Ateneans were victorious against Xavier School in the final, 73-72, to bring home the school's first PAYA Aspirants Basketball crown in more than 20 years. This, despite being down by as much as 20 points during the first half of the game.
 
The members of the 2019 AJHS PAYA Aspirants Basketball Team are Evan Singson (C10-Berthieu),  Dom Perez (C10-Briant), Mason Amos (C9-Baldinucci), Gerwyn Arada (C9–Berno), Eric Manongas (L10-Ferreres), Gio Sykioco (L10-Ferreres), Jeremy Felix (L10-Garnier), Carlo Sanchez (L10-Garnier), Alian Katigbac (L10-Gelabert), Jordan Salandanan (L9–Fernandes), Marcus Balatbat (M10-Mangin), Justin Diaz (M10-Mangin), Dafort Nicolas  (M10–Mangin), Garrick Lao (M10–Maunoir), Cedric Litang (M10-Morse), Luis Barros (M9-Lewis), Derek Domangcas (M8-Ireland), and Luigi De Leon (P10-Whitbread). The team’s head coach is Reggie Aromin while its assistant coaches are Jeffrey Mangubat, Aris Manalo, and Enzo Flojo.   

Justin Diaz and Jeremy Felix led the Ateneo Aspirants with 21 and 19 points, respectively. Both will be part of the UAAP Season 82 Juniors Basketball Team.