Game Friday (Uno HS gym)

5: 30 p.m.--  Xavier vs GCC


MULTI-titled Chiang Kai Shek College and St. Jude Catholic School blasted their respective rivals  to advance to the Final Four of the  Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association (MMTBA) Tournament as expected Tuesday at the Uno High School gym.

The Blue  Dragons got off to a quick start en route to  posting a 70-50 win over St. Stephen’s High School while   the   Judenites overpowered Uno  High School, 67-53, to join outright qualifier Hope Christian High School in the semis.

The  fourth and last semis duel will be disputed by No. 2 seed and  four-time defending Xavier School and host Grace Christian  College on Friday also at the Uno HS gym.

Being the No. 1 seed team, Hope  Christian  enjoys a twice-to-beat advantage over St. Jude when they clash next week.

Hope Christian is aching to end a 19-year-title drought in the event presented  by Regan Industrials Sales Inc. and World Balance.

If the Xavier Golden Stallions beat the host squad again, they will  also secure the same privilege as  Hope Christian  when  they clash with the Blue Dragons in the semis in a game that is expected to relive their rivalry.

In beating the Stephenians, the Goldwin Monteverde-mentored Blue Dragons leaned on the troika of John Kevin Baytan,  John Nieles and Kimlee Bayquin while the Judenites were led by Jason Ligad who exploded for 26 points.

In the Aspirants division of the event backed by Uratex, Burlington, Summit Drinking Water, 100 Plus, Supreme Steel Pipe, Superior Pipe, Ace Water Spa and Molten, No. 1 seed Chiang Kai Shek College and nine-time defending champion Xavier start their best-of-three title  series on Saturday.

Meanwhile, defending girls champion St. Jude outlasted Uno HS, 69-63, in their knockout match to arrange a title series with top seed Chiang Kai Shek College also on Saturday.