Dragons tame Bulldogs for 2nd FCBL semis berth

MANILA, Philippines - Chiang Kai Shek College outlasted National University in a duel of the champions, 66-63, to nail the second semifinal berth even as STI closed out its elims campaign with a big win in the FCBL-Freego Cup at the Buddhacare Gym in QC last Tuesday.

The CKSC Dragons, the reigning Metro Manila Tiong Lian champions, leaned on the gutsy plays of Kimlee Bayquin to beat the UAAP titlists in a tense and rugged encounter and join rival Hope Christian High School in the Final Four of the event sponsored by Smart.

Bayquin led the team’s attack with 14 points to emerge as the Freego Player of the Game. He also had eight rebounds as the Dragons notched their fifth win in seven games. 

The Bullpups slid to 3-4, endangering their semis bid as STI streaked to its fourth win in a row with a 79-52 victory over Adamson in the event backed by Hapee Toothpaste, Fruitas Fruit Shake, Nikon Home Appliances, Colt Commercial, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Fern-C and Insular Square (Cebu). 

STI finished the elims with a 4-4 record. 

In other games, Ateneo, getting big games from Thirdy Ravena and Matthew Nieto, likewise revived its semis bid by downing University of Santo Tomas, 86-85, while Hope Christian improved to 6-1 following its 77-70 win over Far Eastern University.

The loss dropped the Baby Tams to fourth at 4-3, just a game ahead over Ateneo, NU, UST and Mapua, which tote similar 3-4 cards.

Except for Adamson, the six teams, including STI, will dispute the remaining two semis berths on Saturday.