Hope Christian downs Xavier School, nears junior diadem

Game tomorrow (CKSC gym, Manila)

6 p.m. – Hope Christian HS vs Xavier

MANILA, Philippines - Jollo Go buried seven triples, including one in the crucial stage as Hope Christian High School downed Xavier School, 74-66, and moved onto the threshold of ending a 20-year title drought in the 43rd Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association-BonChon Chicken Juniors Championship Thursday at the Chiang Kai Shek College Gymnasium.

In his most explosive game so far, Go finished with 23 points to help Hope Christian win the opener of their best-of-three series after leading by as many as 21 points in the third quarter.

Protecting a precarious 66-62 lead, Go knocked down his seventh triple before feeding Arjan Dela Cruz for a layup for a 71-62 lead with 4:31 left.

The Stallions, led by Kyles Lao, tried to make a run of their own but to no avail as the Hope Christian stepped up on their defense to deny the San Juan City-based squad easy baskets.

“Good thing the boys recovered their form,” said coach Stevenson Tiu.

“It was a tough game but I hope we can close this (series) on Monday.”

Hope Christian also won the opener of their series with Xavier three years ago but self-destructed in the last two games to allow the Stallions to romp with their 10th title in the league basked by Solar BTV, Molten and Summit Water.

They also made it to the finals last year but were beaten by Chiang Kai Shek College.

A victory on Monday will give Hope Christian its fourth Tiong Lian title and second in two months after ruling the first Philippine Secondary School Basketball Championship.

Go got solid backing from Jobert Mercado who tallied 13 points and 9 boards while John Apacible and Leo Guion chipped in 10 markers – most of them in the third that saw them zoomed to a 56-35 lead.