St. Jude repeats over JCA, rules PCYAA

MANILA, Philippines - St. Jude Catholic School fashioned out a lopsided 77-48 victory over Jubilee Christian Academy to complete a two-game sweep of their Junior division title series in the second Philippine Ching Yuen Athletic Association (PCYAA) Basketball Championships at the Uno High School Gym in Tondo, Manila recently.

Renzel Yongco exploded for 31 points, including four triples, in a big follow-up to his 14-point performance in the team’s come-from-behind 65-59 victory in the series opener. He also had six steals and five rebounds to emerge the game’s best player.

Yongco will also leave the high school play with a 22.3-point norm.

His hot shooting anchored the Judenites’ 11-0 record in the six-week, eight-school tournament for the crown after the team fell short in last year’s title duel against Uno High School.

SJCS gave up the game’s first six points but never trailed after a 10-0 counterattack. It was a big turnaround from Game One when it entered the final quarter with a 52-44 deficit and struggled at the finish to pound out the win.

Ahead 35-25 at the half, SJCS opened the third period with a 16-0 run for a 51-25 lead that broke the game wide open.  Yongco netted 13 points in that roll as the Luis Nolasco-mentored St. Jude grabbed a commanding 60-37 advantage.

Two other Judenites scored in double figures – Earl See, 17, and Daniel Pua, 13.  Pua also plucked down 18 boards for a double-double.

Philippine Cultural College will be the host next year.