Xavier, Hope close in on Tiong Lian finals

MANILA, Philippines - Multi-titled Xavier School and Hope Christian High School came away with crucial wins last Tuesday to virtually seal a title duel in the 43rd Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association-BonChon Chicken Championship at the CKSC gym in Manila.

Behind Kyles Lao and Tyler Tio, the Golden Stallions pulled off a vengeful 68-62 win over defending champion Chiang Kai Shek College, 68-62, to regain the overall lead with a 7-2 card going into the last two playdates of the six-team tournament.

Lao exploded for 22 points as Xavier assured itself of another trip to the finals. Last year, CKSC surprised the twice-to-beat Xavier in the semis.

Hope Christian, on the other hand, romped off with a 92-51 rout over St. Jude Catholic as Jeffrey Siybauco, Arjan dela Cruz, Mark Nunez, Jose Go and John Apacible sizzled in the event backed by Solar BTV, Molten and Summit Water.

With its sixth straight win in eight games, Hope Christian tied Chiang Kai Shek College at second with 6-2 slates. 

Though Xavier, Hope Christian and CKSC are likely to end up tied for first place, Xavier and Hope Christian will advance to the finals with superior quotients.

Xavier has one game left in the double-round elims while Hope has two but they are expected to hurdle their remaining assignments against also-ran rivals with relatively ease. 

Poor free throw shooting doomed CKSC’s title-retention bid as it flubbed 15 of its 29 attempts.