Hope targets Tiong Lian crown

MANILA, Philippines—Hope Christian High School is hoping to end a 19-year title drought when it battles Chiang Kai Shek College at the start of the Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association (MMTBA) best-of-three title series at the Uno High School gym Monday.

Hope Christian’s coaching staff, led by Stevenson Tiu, believes this is their best chance to rule one of the biggest high school tournaments in the country.

“We have been playing second fiddle to Xavier and (14-time champion) Chiang Kai Shek College so I hope we can take the limelight this time,” said team manager Bernard “Daboy” Yang, whose wards lost to Xavier last year.”

Yang and Tiu said they could not have made it to the finals without the support of Hapee Toothpaste, Jumbo Plastic, Infinite Graphix, Fruitas Fruit Shakes, Nikon Home Appliances, Oceanic Containers Terminal Inc., Hope Christian Board of Trustees and Hope Christian Alumni Association Inc.

Though Hope Christian swept the six-game elimination and easily beat St. Jude, 89-64, in the semifinals, Tiu insists that CKSC is still the favorite due to its firepower and depth.

CKSC advanced to the finals by beating four-time defending champion Xavier twice, including a masterful 70-50 triumph in the knockout game last Wednesday.