Hope Christian, Xavier dispute Tiong Lian title

MANILA, Philippines - Hope Christian High School hopes to end a 20-year title drought as it battles Xavier School at the start of their best-of-three title series today in the 43rd Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association-BonChon Chicken Juniors Championship at the Chiang Kai Shek College Gymnasium.

This marks the second time in three-years that Hope Christian and Xavier will clash for the title in the country’s premier Fil-Chinese basketball league. Game time is at 6 p.m.

Unlike the last time they clashed, Hope Christian, managed by Bernard Yang, is slightly favored to win this time after completing a five-game sweep of the second round, including a 72-64 victory over the Golden Stallions last Feb. 10.

Hope Christian also boasts of a deeper bench this time with John Apacible, Jollo Go, Arjan dela Cruz, Jobert Mercado and Antonio Yang heading the roster.

Hope Christian, Xavier and last year’s champion Chiang Kai Shek College actually finished tied for first place at 8-2 but Hope and Xavier advanced to the finals with superior quotients.

What it failed to accomplish in the Juniors division, Chiang Kai Shek College achieved in the Aspirants division as the Junior Dragons clobbered the Junior Stallions, 83-42, during the Valentine’s Day to complete a two-game sweep of their own title series in the event backed by Solar BTV, Molten and Summit Water.

Two years ago, Hope ended Xavier’s 32-game winning run by taking the opener of their series. But Xavier, bannered then by Jeron Teng, won the next two games to clinch its 10th title.

Expected to lead Xavier are Kyles Lao and Jarrell Lim who averaged 25.4 and 13.8 points, respectively.