Xavier outlasts Hope for record fourth title

MANILA, Philippines - World Youth Olympic veteran Jeron Teng put on another solid all-around performance as Xavier School outlasted Hope Christian High School, 77-66, for a record fourth straight Freego Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association (MMTLBA) championship Tuesday at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym.

The six-foot Teng tallied 36 points on 11-of-26 shooting from field and also got nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals against seven turnovers.

Donal Ong also rose to the occasion, delivering a three-point shot with barely a second left on the team’s shot clock as Xavier took a 73-63 lead with less than a minute left.

The title was the fourth straight and ninth overall for Xavier School in the event sponsored 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.

The fourth straight by Xavier squad this year enabled the Golden Stallions to eclipse the three-peat effort of previous Xavier and Chiang Kai Shek College teams.

The Golden Stallions, who drew 16 points from Lao and seven from Kyles Lao, won the title series at 2-1. They took Game Two, 104-76.

For Hope, which took Game 1, 93-82, its runner-up finish was already a big achievement after failing to make it to the semis for several years. It was also Hope which ended Xavier’s 32-game winning run.

Teng, who won his second straight MVP crown, was in his elements in the second quarter where they took a 46-27 lead before Hope Christian rallied behind Janrey Garrido, Jessiery Pedrosa, King Benemerito and Chrisian Errol.