St. Jude whips GCC in Tiong Lian tourney

MANILA, Philippines –  Jason Ligad buried a record-tying 11 triples to help power St. Jude Catholic School to an 86-67 romp over Grace Christian College in the Freego-Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association tournament at the St. Jude gym recently.

Ligad, being eyed by several collegiate teams, finished with a season-high 45 points on an impressive 17-of-27 shooting, including 11-of-16 from the three-point zone to bag his second Freego Player of the Game award.

With his 11 triples, Ligad, who also had 31 points in the team’s 84-75 victory over St. Stephen’s High School, tied the record of former star Jeric Teng of Xavier School. Teng did the trick first during the 2008-09 season.

The win was the third straight for the Judenites in the tournament backed by Welcoat, Orocan, Puma, Fern-C, Bantex, PG-Flex, Molten, Healthy Options, Bow & Wow, Burlington, MEC Computer, Converse, Davis Paints, Gold’s Gym and Absolute.

Meantime, defending champion Xavier School rode on another brilliant all-around performance of World Youth veteran Jeron Teng to beat Hope Christian High School, 73-66.

Teng chalked up another double-double performance with 39 points and 11 boards as the Golden Stallions rolled to their second straight win. Hope Christian, which took its second straight setback, was led by Jessiery Pedrosa’s 23 points and nine rebounds.