Teng sparks Xavier to 3rd Tiong Lian win

MANILA, Philippines—Jeron Teng produced another brilliant game as defending champion Xavier School streaked to its third win in four starts in the 42nd Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association at the Uno High School gym over the weekend.

In another match, Hope Christian High School remained unbeaten in three games to keep the solo lead in the seven-team field.

Four-time defending champion Xavier routed hapless Uno High, 125-57, thanks to Teng’s triple-double performance.

After scoring just 14 points—his lowest output in three seasons—in Xavier’ 60-66 loss to Hope last Tuesday, Teng redeemed himself with two successive big games.

Teng’s 27-point, 15-rebound and 14-assist performance was a fitting sequel to his 58-point explosion on Friday that saw him outscore the entire St. Stephen’s High School squad in their 119-56 win.

Determined to end a 19-year title drought, Hope Christian overpowered St. Jude Catholic School, 77-58, behind a dominating first half performance.

With Raymond Tan and Errol Villar presiding over the team’s bristling assault, Hope Christian scored almost at will to take a 40-19 halftime lead which it never relinquished.

Don Mendoza and Janrey Garrido led Hope Christian with 13 markers each.

Also last Tuesday, multi-titled Chiang Kai Shek College barged into the win-column while CKSC downed host Grace Christian College, 91-40.

In the Aspirants division, Xavier romped to a 63-52 win over St. Stephen’s; CKSC walloped Hope, 127-47; and St. Jude whipped Grace, 72-60.

STANDINGS: Hope Christian HS 3-0, Xavier 3-1, Chiang Kai Shek 1-1, St. Jude 1-1, Uno HS 1-2, Grace Christian College 0-2, St. Stephen’s HS 0-2