Games  today:(Uno HS gym)

5:30 p.m. -- St. Jude vs Xavier

7 p.m. --Uno High vs St. Stephen’s

JANRAY  Garrido hit a booming triple with only 42 ticks left to help power Hope Christian High School  to a thrilling 59-57 win over Chiang Kai Shek College and into the semis of the 42nd Metro  Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association Tournament Saturday at the Uno High School gym.

Facing the specter of absorbing their first defeat, Garrido rose to the occasion twice  --  first by coming through with a  beautiful assist on Clint Doliquez inside before  hitting the game’s biggest shot that completed their remarkable  comeback.

The win was the fifth straight for the Hope Christian cagers, thus assuring themselves of the No. 1 slot in the semis even if they drop their last game against Uno High School on Saturday.

The Blue Dragons, the winningest squad in the seven-team tournament with 14 titles, had a chance to send the game into overtime  but John  Kevin Baytan failed  to  launch a decent shot --  no thanks to Hope’s air-tight defense  --  in the dying seconds.

Also helping the cause of Hope Christian in the event presented  by  Regan Industrials Sales Inc. and  World Balance were Don Mendoza and King Benemerito, who scored 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Garrido, being pursued by several UAAP teams, finished with eight points, including two triples, aside  from  posting eight assists and two steals.

The Blue Dragons, who beat Uno High School last Friday, slipped to 3-2.

In the  other game in the tournament backed by Uratex, Burlington, Summit Drinking Water, 100 Plus, Supreme Steel Pipe, Superior  Pipe, Ace Water Spa and Molten,  St.Jude Catholic School improved to 2-2 by downing St. Stephen’s High School, 79-50.