Hope Christian hopes for title after 18 years

MANILA, Philippines - Hope Christian High School hopes to end its 18-year title drought when it battles three-time defending champion Xavier School in the best-of-three title series of the Freego 41st Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association tournament starting tomorrow at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym in Manila.

In a title series dubbed as Destiny vs Dynasty, the Hope Christian cagers are determined to end Xavier’s reign and win their first title since 1993.

Coach Stevenson Tiu was part of the squad that won for Hope its first championship in 1981 and repeated it two years after with Tiu calling the shots.

Backed by Hapee Toothpaste, Terry Que of Rain or Shine, Infinite Graphix, Jumbo Plastic, Fruitas and Hope Christian Alumni Association Incorporated, headed by Stephen Sia, Hope Christian is seeking its fourth straight title after winning the Fil-Chinese Athletic Federation Basketball, Father Martin’s Cup and Metropolitan Amateur Sports Association last year.

Expected to carry the scoring load for Hope Christian – also being helped by Bernard Yang – are Jessiery Pedrosa, Janrey Garrido, Elijah Tancauco and Errol Villar.

Meantime, Game 1 will be aired on Wednesday while Game 2 scheduled on Feb. 18 will be shown on Feb. 20 on Basketball TV.

Details: www.tionglianbasketballph.webs.