Hope, FEU dispute FCBL crown

MANILA, Philippines - Hope Christian High School takes on Far Eastern University today, going for no less than a back-to-back championship in the FCBL-Freego Cup at the Buddhacare Gym in Quezon City.

The one-game face off is set at 4 p.m. with Hope Christian High School out to retain the crown to at least make up for its stinging defeat to Chiang Kai Shek College in the finals of the Metro Manila Tiong Lian Championship two months ago.

The top-seeded Hope squad advanced to the final by beating Mapua in their knockout match, 76-66, last Thursday with Clint Doliguez dishing out another solid game.

Doliguez scored all but two of his team-high 16 points in the first half to help Hope post a commanding a 44-28 lead at halftime en route to victory and another stint in the finals of the event sponsored by Smart for the second straight time.

Mapua, which finished the elims at No. 4, forced a playoff with the twice-to-beat Hope Christian High School by scoring a 72-68 victory last Tuesday.

The Baby Tamaraws, on the other hand, clinched the first finals berth by downing No. 3 seed Chiang Kai Shek College, 78-73, in the event backed by Hapee Toothpaste, Fruitas Fruit Shake, Nikon Home Appliances, Colt Commercial, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Fern-C and Insular Square (Cebu). 

Focus will be on Hope’s Doliquez and FEU’s Joshua Aguilon, who also emerged as Freego Player of the Game the last time out. They are expected to lead their respective team’s title bids.

Meantime, Chiang Kai Shek College and Mapua collide at 2 p.m. for third place.