CKSC moves closer to Tiong Lian cage title

MANILA, Philippines - John Kevin Baytan buried a three-pointer while Wilson Bartolome came through with a defensive gem in the last two minutes as Chiang Kai Shek College outlasted Hope Christian High School, 79-75, in Game 1 of their best-of-three title series in the 42nd Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association Tournament Monday at the Uno High School gym.

In a game marked by several twists and turns, the CKSC Blue Dragons turned out to be more resilient as they produced two clutch plays to finally take the fight out of the Hope Christian players in a tense encounter and move within a win of annexing their 15th title in the league long considered as one of the biggest high school tournaments in the country.

Showing the nerves of a matador, Baytan silenced the Hope Christian crowd by unloading his third and last triple for a 76-73 breather with 1:43 left in the payoff period. Hope Christian, however, refused to give up the fight easily as Raymund Tan hit a long two 19 ticks later to trim the deficit, 76-75.

The Hope Christian squad, unbeaten in seven games going into the finals, had a chance to send the game into overtime after CKSC playmaker John Paul Nieles split his charities but a Clint Doliquez basket inside the paint was blocked by Bartolome with only two seconds remaining.

Another win tomorrow will enable Chiang Kai Shek College to complete a triple crown after also winning the Aspirants (14-years-and under) and girls divisions of the tournament presented by Regan Industrials Sales Inc. and World Balance.

Also backing the tournament are Uratex, Burlington, Summit Drinking Water, 100 Plus, Supreme Steel Pipe, Superior Pipe, Ace Water Spa and Molten.

For more Tiong Lian game stories, log on to www.tionglianbasketballph.webs.com and www.gameface.ph.