CKSC, Hope clinch semis in Freego-TL tilt

MANILA, Philippines - Multi-titled Chiang Kai Shek College and Hope Christian High School bested their respective rivals in contrasting fashion and clinched semis berths in the Freego 41st Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association (MMTLBA) high school tournament Friday at the CKSC Gym.

Drawing another big game from Paul Aduana, Chiang Kai Shek College outlasted St. Jude Catholic School, 61-60, while Hope Christian High School downed St. Stephen’s High School, 60-48, for similar 7-3 records.

With their wins, Hope Christian and Chiang Kai Shek College joined three-time defending champion Xavier School in the Final Four of the annual tournament of the country’s premier Fil-Chinese schools.

Meantime, Xavier formally clinched the No. 1 spot and a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis by beating St. Stephen’s last Saturday, 81-64, for its 11th straight win this year and 30th overall in four seasons.

In the other game of the event backed by PCSO, Davies Paints, Welcoat, Orocan, Puma, Fern-C, Bantex, PG-Flex, Molten, Healthy Options, Bow & Wow, Burlington, MEC Computer, Converse, Gold’s Gym and Absolute, Grace Christian College picked up its second win by beating Uno High School, 85-73.

Showing steely nerves, Aduana hit two pressure-packed charities with only 6.1 ticks left to bail Chiang Kai Shek out of trouble in their exciting showdown.

The game, however, was put under protest by St. Jude.

Hope Christian HS and CKSC face each other again Feb. 4 with the winner earning the second twice-to-beat bonus. Aduana won Freego Player of the Game honors with 26 points (including 20 in the second half), nine rebounds and four steals. He also had three threes to snare the Burlington Three-Point Shootout award.