CKSC sweeps Hope, rules Tiong Lian

MANILA, Philippines - Chiang Kai Shek College crushed Hope Christian High School, 75-63, to win the 42nd Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association Tournament via a two-game sweep while Xavier School’s Jeron Teng won a record third straight MVP Thursday at the Uno High School gym.

The Blue Dragons never trailed in the contest after grabbing an 18-16 lead at the end of the first quarter and even led by 15, 59-44, early in the fourth quarter.

 Chiang Kai Shek College became the first No. 3 seed team in recent history to win the crown.

In securing the right to face No. 1 seed and unbeaten Hope Christian in a best-of-three title series, the Blue Dragons defeated No. 2 and twice-to-beat four-time defending champion Xavier in the semis. They took Game 1, 79-75.

It was the 15th title for the Goldwin Monteverde-mentored Blue Dragons which capped Chiang Kai Shek College’s dominance of the league after also ruling the Aspirants (14-years-and-under) and girls divisions crowns earlier.

The 6-foot-3 Teng, who is going to play for La Salle in the coming UAAP, shared the limelight with the Blue Dragons after becoming the first player in the league to cop the highest individual award thrice, a feat that is likely to stand for years.

The game was stopped for about 10 minutes with eight minutes and 32 seconds remaining, and CKSC ahead, 59-48, due to a circuit breakdown. That gave Hope a much-needed break as it managed to trim CKSC’s lead to four, after unleashing a 10-3 run with Janrey Garrido scoring five.

But John Kevin Baytan rose to the occasion, coming up with a beautiful spin move to finally take the life off the Hope Christian squad in the tournament presented by Regan Industrials Sales Inc. and World Balance.

Baytan, who finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds, was named Finals MVP of the event also backed by Uratex, Burlington, Summit Drinking Water, 100 Plus, Supreme Steel Pipe, Superior Pipe, Ace Water Spa and Molten.

Carlo Young led CKSC with 21 points and six rebounds while playmaker John Paul Nieles and Kimlee Bayquin chipped in 17 and 16 points to help Monteverde pick up his 6th junior title. Monteverde won his first five titles with St. Stephen’s High School.