MANILA, Philippines—Chiang Kai Shek College completed a double victory in the Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association by clinching both Aspirants and Girls Divisions titles over their fancied rivals.
Drawing firepower from John Vincent Gallego, Frank Yu and Maverick Chua, the CKSC Blue Dragons weathered the repeated rallies of the Xavier Junior Stallions to prevail, 82-72, in their do-or-die match at the Uno High School gym on Thursday.
The win snapped the Toyota Quezon Avenue-backed CKSC’s string of four runner-up finishes to the Xavier cagers, who lorded over the tournament for nine straight years.
Gallego and Chua scored 21 and 20 points, respectively, for the Arsenio Dysangco-mentored Blue Dragons. Tyler Tio paced Xavier with 24.
The Chiang Kai Shek College Lady Blue Dragons, being supported by Converse and Chiang Kai Shek Alumni Association, also annexed the high school crown by downing defending champion St. Jude, 71-54, in their own knockout match behind the all-around performance of Bannete Revillosa.
The Lady Blue Dragons suffered an 85-77 loss in the opener but bounced back in Game 2 by crushing the Junior Stallions, 112-71.
With the twin victories, focus is now on CKSC’s Juniors team as the Blue Dragons shoot for their 15th title against powerhouse and unbeaten Hope Christian High School.