Xavier nears T Lian first round sweep

MANILA, Philippines - Xavier School clobbered St. Stephen’s High School, 106-63, last Monday to move within a win of sweeping the first round of the juniors division of the Freego Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association tournament at the Xavier School gym.

Youth Olympics veteran Jeron Teng scored 27 of his game-high 36 points to set the tone for another runaway victory for the three-time defending champion Xavier, which notched its fifth straight win.

For the fifth straight time, Teng dished out a double-double job with 17 rebounds to claim another Freego Player of the Week award.

The win also enabled the Golden Stallions to stretch their winning streak to 24 dating back to the 2007 season.

Meantime, Hope Christian High School closed out its first round campaign with a 103-58 rout of Grace Christian College.

Errol Villar scored 36 points and hauled down 12 rebounds as Hope Christian posted its fourth victory in six games. Villar also earned the Player of the Game honors. 

Janrey Garrido contributed 20 points, and big men Jessiery Pedrosa and King Benemerito had 12 and 11, respectively, for coach Steve Tiu’s troops.

The event is backed by Welcoat, Orocan, Puma, Fern-C, Bantex, PG-Flex, Molten, Healthy Options, Bow & Wow, Burlington, MEC Computer, Converse, Davies Paints, Gold’s Gym and Absolute.