Xavier takes Game 1 of TL Aspirants Finals
By: Henry Liao, YEHEY! Contributors
16 February 2009, 12:21 AM
Six-time defending champion Xavier School exacted revenge against erstwhile unbeaten Chiang Kai Shek College with an 82-76 victory Saturday night (Feb. 14) in Game 1 of the Aspirants Division best-of-three finals of the 39th Metro Manila Basketball Association tournament held at the Uno Gym in Tondo, Manila.
Xavier School (6-1), which had dropped a 96-91 decision to CKSC during the elimination round, got off to a 7-0 start but fell behind, 19-18, after the first 10-minute quarter. CKSC was still ahead by four points, 25-21, when the Golden Stallions detonated a 13-0 bomb to move ahead, 34-25.
XS never trailed thereafter. The San Juan-based school enjoyed a 44-39 advantage at halftime and was up by 10, 68-58, entering the final quarter. The Blue Dragons trailed by as much as 12 points (75-63) in the payoff period and came no closer than five, 81-76, with 40 seconds left.
Team captain Kyles Lao, a 13-year-old, seventh-grader, collected 21 points and eight rebounds to lead Xavier. Lao, who scored 17 points in the first 20 minutes, was utilized sparingly in the second half due to cramps.
Burly 5-11 center John So, another 13-year-old seventh-grader, barely missed a triple-double with nine points (3-of-9 from the free-throw line), 14 rebounds and 11 blocked shots for the Gold and Blue, who also got 18 points from Jarell Lim, 15 from Anton Lapez and 11 from Juan Susmerano.
Chiang Kai Shek College, which lost 2-0 to Xavier School in last year’s finals, had four players in double-digit scores – Carlo Young, 23 (including 12-of-16 from the charity stripes); Karlo Yap, 15; John Nieles, 13; and Kimlee Bayquin, 12.
Game 2 of the Aspirants Division finals will be held on Sunday, Feb. 15, also at the Uno Gym.
Should a Game 3 be necessary, it would be played on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
Meanwhile, the best-of-three championship series opener in the Juniors Division between defending titlist Xavier School and St. Jude Catholic School will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
The Tiong Lian games are being televised by the Makisig Sports Network via Skycable Channel 76 and 82 on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sunday from 5-9 p.m.
