Hope Christian keeps Martin's Cup crown

MANILA, Philippines - Hope Christian High School, drawing another solid performance from King Benemerito and Raymond Tan, reaffirmed its supremacy over San Beda College, 81-76, to retain its Father Martin’s Cup crown Sunday at the San Beda College gym.

It was the second title by Hope Christian in two weeks as it also beat the Red Cubs in triple overtime during the Freego FCBL Cup, 103-100, last June 4.

Hope Christian, supported by Hapee Toothpaste owner and OIC principal Cecilio Pedro and managed by Bernard Yang, also beat San Beda in last year’s edition of the Fr. Martin’s Cup.

“Pero ngayon, mas sweeter ang panalo namin,” said coach Stevenson Tiu, obviously elated by his boys’ courageous performance that saw them winning all their 11 games.

The Red Cubs led most of the game until Benemerito, who finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds, completed a steal with less than two minutes left that gave them a 71-70 lead.

Tan capped his brilliant fourth quarter show with a triple in the next play to practically seal the win – their third over the Red Cubs since the Freego FCBL Cup. He finished with 16 points, including 12 from the 3-point territory. Backed by Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Hope Christian Board of Trustees, Hope Alumni Association Inc., Infinite Grafix and Oceanic Cointainer Lines Inc., Hope Christian also got 14 points markers from Errol Villar.

Hope Christian’s back-to-back title romp – FCBL and Fr. Martin’s Cup – augurs well to its title bid in the Metro Manila Tiong Lian where it hopes to end the four-year reign of Xavier School.