DLSZ 12U HS Basketball Team Clinches IDEAL Championship Title

by: Mr. Alvin Soriano

UNITED WE STAND. PERIOD.  

It was only in July when the De La Salle Santiago Zobel High School (DLSZ) Basketball team also known as the “2024 DLSZ 12U” team lineup was finalized, and it was an uphill battle from the get-go as several challenges laid ahead. The team needed to get ready in just a few weeks before their first tournament started.

Incidentally, it was also the most important tournament of all where top-tier schools competed for basketball glory. With a new coach and five (5) new players on the roster, it was important for our student-athletes to be able to quickly adjust and find their place in the team – add that to the perpetual pressure of upskilling and improved conditioning. In the long run, these challenges proved to be something that they needed to tackle throughout the year with some unforeseen adjustments in the roster here and there, together with the varying levels of competition among the many different tournaments that they simultaneously battled. As we nearly conclude the season for our resilient and gritty hoopers, we look back at how much they have developed as a team to overcome these challenges and congratulate them for their proud achievements.

Interschool Developmental Athletic League (IDEAL) 2024-2025 League 12 Under

On top of the list is their performance in the IDEAL League where they were crowned the champions with Xabi Trillo and Marcus Feliciano both receiving Mythical Five honors with well-rounded performances throughout Jordan Dela Rosa getting bestowed with Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) going beast-mode in the paint and Andy Soriano grabbing the Season MVP award marked by his first double-double with the Green and White and many times finding his touch beyond the arc. 

It was an undefeated run with credits to Coach Noel Engracia who also won the Best Coach award.

Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association (ISSA) 12 Under

1st Runner Up

Our boys also did well in the Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association (ISSA) where we won 1st runner-up, held last Feb 1, 2025 at the Xavier School, San Juan. They battled tirelessly with their hearts, legs, and minds with Xavier San Juan.  

Metro Manila Basketball Championship (MMBC) 12 Under

1st Runner-Up

We ended with an identical result during the 2nd season of the Metro Manila Basketball Championship (MMBC) held last February 16, 2025, at the Xavier School San Juan. The group bowed to the same team but here, Marcus Feliciano received his 2nd Mythical 5 medal, as he shot the lights out during the tournament at one time scorching to a 32-point game.

Overall, we are proud of how the team came together. There is no superstar in the roster and the system of playing as a team was evident throughout the year. Aside from the mentioned awardees, many other players had their time in the limelight. It could be Blue Estabillo eating the opponent’s defenses alive, Kenzo Syongphan acting like a freight train going coast-to-coast, Rocky Almeda consistently sinking his trademark inside floater, Aaron Riguera pulling off an awesome performance to wear down Xavier, Liam Mooney expertly maneuvering the full court press, Tim Cruz displaying the future of positionless basketball, Zac Andres bullying his way towards the basket, Kiean Narido displaying how rightfully his number should be 91, Syrus Demate confusing the bigs with his drop-off passes, Mio Dagdagan antagonizing foes with his pesky defense and Tristan Tiongson standing tall as a court general.

Kudos to our coach for imbibing the team mentality to his protégés! These boys spent their green blood, sweat, and tears and they stand united to hold our banner high and bright.

We cheer for them as they continue to keep the dream alive!

Never shall we fail! Animo La Salle!

DLSZ High School Basketball Line up :

1. Rocky Almeda (DLSZ 2030)

2. Zac Andres (DLSZ 2030)

3. Tim Cruz (DLSZ 2030)

4, Mio Dagdagan (DLSZ 2030)

5. Jordan Dela Rosa (DLSZ 2030)  * Finals MVP IDEAL

6. Syrus Demate (DLSZ BRafeNHS 2030)

7. Blue Estabillo (DLSZ 2030)

8. Marcus Feliciano (DLSZ 2030) * Mythical 5 MMBC * Mythical 5 IDEAL

9. Liam Mooney (DLSZ 2030)

10. Kian Narido (DLSZ 2031)

11. Crixus Quijano (DLSZ 2030)

12. Aaron Riguera (DLSZ 2030)

13. Luis Santos (DLSZ 2030)

14. Andy Soriano (DLSZ 2030) * MVP Ideal

15. Kenzo Syhongpan (DLSZ 2030)

16. Tristan Tiongson (DLSZ 2031)

17. Xabier Trillo (DLSZ 2031) * Mythical 5 IDEAL