MANILA, Philippines - Chiang Kai Shek College wore down UAAP champion National University in double overtime and hacked out a 73-71 victory while NCAA titlist San Beda College clobbered UP Integrated School, 79-63, at the start of the third Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship Ironcon Builders Cup at the CKSC gym in Tondo, Manila Saturday.
The Blue Dragons and the Bullpups fought almost on even terms most of the way before JV Gallego and Fran Yu came through with clutch plays to lift CKSC to the early win in Group A before a big weekend crowd.
“It was a tough game and we’re just lucky to pull off the win,” said CKSC coach Goldwyn Monteverde. “Hopefully, we can build on this momentum.”
Gallego sizzled with 29 points while Yu contributed nine markers, including the game-winning basket off a perfect feed from Rafael Toribio, as the Blue Dragons virtually clinched a spot in the quarterfinals of the four-group of three teams tournament presented by Ironcon Builders.