Blue Dragons stun Archers, clinch crown

CHIANG Kai Shek College toppled favored De La Salle Zobel, 85-82, on Sunday to capture the 2015 Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championships (PSSBC) Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup at SGS Gym in Quezon City.

Sustaining the form that enabled it to dethrone San Beda College, 65-58, on Saturday, Chiang Kai Shek leaned  on  Miguel Oczon and Martin Galinato anew to emerge unbeaten in the eight-day tournament presented by Jumbo Plastic Linoleum.

Oczon and Galinato thwarted the Junior Archers’ repeated rallies, with Oczon’s triple giving the Blue Dragons a 72-62 lead at the start of the fourth.

But the Junior Archers, who were coming off a 44-point rout of Hope Christian High School in the semifinals, made one last charge to threaten, 84-82, after two free throws from Martin Romero.

La Salle even had an opportunity  to turn the game around when Chiang Kai Shek committed a turnover with 19 ticks left.

Unfortunately, however, tournament Most Valuable Player Aljun Melecio missed a triple on the next possession with CKS’ Joshua Ramirez securing the rebound to shut the door on the Junior Archers.

Chiang Kai Shek thus became the second school from Fil-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation (FCAAF) to win the “Battle for Champions” title for high school after Hope Christian. Other winners were NCAA teams San Sebastian College in 2013 and San Beda College last year.

“Our defense in the first half really set the tone of the game,” said CKS coach Goldwyn Monteverde.

Oczon, who was named Finals MVP, led the Blue Dragons with 21 points, Galinato had 13 points and five assists while Jonas Tibayan finished with 13 points and 10 boards.

The PSSBC was also sponsored by MEC Networks, Dickies Underwear, Freego, Rain or Shine, Ironcon Builders, Hapee Toothpaste and Blackwater Sports with Molten as official ball.