Xavier repels St. Jude, nears MMTLBA title

MANILA, Philippines - Kevin Lim and Jose Anton Manuel came through with clutch baskets as Xavier School outsteadied St. Jude Catholic School, 82-77, to move closer to sweeping the Freego-Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association (MMTLBA) tournament at the Jacinto Tiu Court of Xavier School.

The Golden Stallions bucked the loss of top gunner Jeron Teng in the first quarter due to ankle injury, thwarting St. Jude’s last-ditch rally to take the opener of their best-of-three series in the event presented by Fresh Gear Revolution Denim.

The San Juan City-based squad shoots for its seventh title and its second Grand Slam feat in a decade with another win tomorrow at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym in Tondo, Manila.

The win likewise extended Xavier’s winning run to 18 dating back to its championship duel with many-time champion Chiang Kai Shek College two years ago.