Hope C-HS, Xavier dispute crown

MANILA, Philippines - Hope Christian High School downed Chiang Kai Shek College, 91-86, in double overtime to arrange a title showdown with three-time defending champion Xavier School in the Freego 41st Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association (MMTLBA) high school tournament at the CKSC gym last Wednesday.

Elijah Tancauco hit a triple in the clutch, giving HCHS an 85-80 cushion en route to victory and a first finals stint since 1993.

Jessiery Pedrosa and Janrey Garrido fired 21 and 20 points, respectively, for Hope while King Benemerito had 19 points and 14 rebounds to earn the Freego Player of the Game award.

Supported by Hapee Toothpaste, Jumbo Plastic and Rain or Shine’s Terry Que, Hope Christian HS earned a twice-to-beat advantage in their semis series by finishing second behind Xavier in the double-round elims.

“After 18 long years, we finally made it to the finals,” said Bernard Yang, representative of Hope to the board. “But against Xavier, we have to raise our game a notch higher.”

Top seed Xavier scored an expected 89-71 romp over St. Jude with Youth Olympic veteran Jeron Teng scoring 32 points and finishing with 14 rebounds and six assists to power the Golden Stallions to their 13th straight win this year.

It was actually Xavier’s 32nd win in a row since Game 3 of their 2008 Finals with Chiang Kai Shek College.

Game 1 of the best-of-three finals, 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, is set Tuesday. Game 2 will be played on Friday while a third game, if necessary, is slated Feb. 22.