MANILA, Philippines - This year could go down as one of the most memorable and successful seasons of Chiang Kai Shek College in the Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association.
The reason: Chiang Kai Shek College completed a double victory by clinching both the Aspirants and Girls Divisions titles over their fancied rivals.
With John Vincent Gallego, Frank Yu and Maverick Chua scoring one big shot after another, the Toyota Quezon Avenue-backed CKSC Blue Dragons survived the determined comebacks of the Xavier School Junior Stallions to pull off a thrilling 82-72 win in their do-or-die match at the Uno High School gym Thursday.
The win ended Chiang Kai Shek College’s string of four runner-up finishes to the Xavier cagers who lorded over the tournament for nine straight years.
Gallego and Chua scored 21 and 20 points for the Arsenio Dysangco-mentored Blue Dragons. Tyler Tio paced Xavier with 24.
The Chiang Kai Shek College Lady Blue Dragons, also sponsored by Converse and Chiang Kai Shek Alumni Association (CKSCAA), annexed the high school girls crown by downing defending champion St. Jude Catholic School, 71-54, in their own knockout match – big thanks to the all-around performance of Bannete Revillosa.
The Raging Dragons suffered an 85-77 loss in the opener but bounced back mightily in Game 2 by crushing the Junior Stallions, 112-71.
With the twin victories, focus is now on CKSC’s Juniors team as the Blue Dragons shoot for their 15th title against powerhouse and unbeaten Hope Christian High School. They were playing at presstime.
The Blue Dragons advanced to the finals by beating four-time defending champion Xavier twice, including a 70-50 win in their knockout game last Wednesday.