Grace Christian, St. Peter begin battle for FCAAI hoops supremacy

MANILA, Philippines -- They may be the defending champions, but Grace Christian College is wary of the St. Peter the Apostle School squad that will try to take the Fil-Chi Athletic Association Inc. (FCAAI) 45-and-above title from them. 

Grace Christian and St. Peter the Apostle will figure in a best-of-three championship series for the 45-and-above crown starting Friday, October 23, at the Tanduay Gym in Manila. 

Grace Christian’s Allan Anson Tan, during a press conference in Quezon City Wednesday, said St. Peter the Apostle’s hunger makes them dangerous. 

“I think maganda iyong matchup namin, kahit nung last game. Actually, starting last game na nakaharap namin sila, it was a close game,” Tan said. 

“Umabot sa na-frustrate kami. Pero buti, naka-recover naman. This time, two games namin silang haharapin,” he added.

“Hindi natin malalaman ang mangyayari, pero both teams are hungry at gusto naming manalo.”

St. Peter, coached by Mac Tan, stressed that their team is bent on making noise in their first-ever shot at a FCAAI championship in the division. 

“We have the momentum… but it’s our first time. Magandang matchup ito,” he said. 

St. Peter brought down Xavier, 62-49, while Grace Christian drubbed St. Jude Catholic School, 66-43, in their respective semifinal matchups. 

Grace Christian head coach Danilo Ching, for his part, underscored that aside from their opponents’ momentum, their depth will also spell problems for their team. 

“But, we will work hard sa practice. And, yun ang [pinu-push namin] sa practice, yung hard work. You can see sa defense namin,” he said.

“Pero sa akin kasi, mas tiwala ako sa players ko na magpe-perform sila. Mas maraming gustong ipakita yung players ko.” 

FCAAI Chairman Wilbert Loa and Commissioner Junel Baculi, for their part, assured that the finals will have good officiating. They said they have placed lapel mics on their referees to assure that communications between the referees and coaches will be clear.