Xavier thwarts St. Jude, nears Tiong Lian crown

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Xavier School, behind brothers Jeric and Jeron Teng, demolished St. Jude Catholic School, 116-74, to move within a win from completing another banner season in the 39th Yakult Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association (MMTBA) Championship Tuesday at the Uno High School gym.

Jeric sizzled with 31 points while Jeron dished out another double-double performance of 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Golden Stallions cruised past their rivals to take the opener of their best-of-three title series.

The Golden Stallions, managed by Caesar Wongchuking, shoot for their eighth crown tomorrow in the league sponsored by Rusty Lopez, Converse, Puma, Davies Paint, FG Jeans, Burlington, MEC Computer, Healthy Options, Absolute Water, Outlast Batteries and PG Flex Linoleum.

Ian Michael Umali and Jose Anton Manuel also turned in 17 and 16 points, respectively, to underscore Xavier’s balance offensive sock.

Meantime, Chiang Kai Shek College downed host Uno High School in overtime, 65-58, to win the girls championship. Uno earned the twice-to-beat advantage after topping the elims but Chiang Kai Shek took the opener of their title series, 49-48.

St. Jude emerged as the league’s cheerdancing champion held over the weekend. League officials, led by its chairman Milton Alfred Yu, presented the trophy to the winning team.

In the Aspirants division, Chiang Kai Shek College, behind Karlo Yap, John Paul Nieles and Carlo Young, beat Xavier, 76-70, to force a sudden-death in their own best-of-three playoff.