St. Jude, Xavier notch second win in Tiong Lian

MANILA, Philippines - St. Jude streaked to its second straight win by downing St. Stephen’s High School, 54-40, in the 40th Freego-Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association tournament Wednesday at the Chiang Kai Shek gym.

Atoning for a poor first half shooting, Kim Lo knocked in eight of his team-high 12 points in the third period as the Judenites pulled away from a tight contest in the event presented by Fresh Gear Revolution Denim.

The Judenites, who recently captured the Metropolitan Amateur Sports Association (MASA) crown, also got a big lift from guard Derrence Lam who finished with eight points, seven rebounds and five assists to win the Freego Player of the Game award.

With the win, the Judenites, who beat Hope Christian High School in the opener last Saturday, tied defending champion Xavier School for the lead in the event also supported by 100 Plus Isotonic Sports Drink, Fern-C, Outlast Battery, Rusty Lopez, Puma, Converse, Burlington, Davies Paint, MEC Computer, Molten, Bantex Sandal and Bow & Wow, the Natural Pets Food Store.

Unlike in its opening game where it romped to a 134-58 win over Grace Christian College, Xavier needed the heroics of RP Under-16 standout Jeron Teng, Donal Ong, Paolo Cabero and Harong Ng this time to escape with an 86-80 win over long-time rival Chiang Kai Shek College.

After Chiang Kai Shek closed in at 75-78 on a rare four-point play by Paul Aduana, the Golden Stallions retaliated with two quick baskets by Ong and Cabero to ease the pressure a bit, 82-75.

The Blue Dragons, however, refused to give up the fight and threatened at 78-82. But it proved to be their last gallant stand as Ong struck underneath to finally settle the issue with barely 52 ticks left.

Kevin Lim led Xavier with 20 points while Teng, son of former San Miguel Beer bruiser Alvin Teng, had 17 points, 19 boards, seven assists and four steals. Aduana came off the bench to pace the Blue Dragons with 21, including two triples.