Game Monday (Uno High School gym)

6 p.m. --  HCHS vs CKSC


CHIANG  Kai Shek College denied Xavier star Jeron Teng a glorious high school exit as the Blue Dragons overpowered the Golden  Stallions, 70-50, to earn a return trip to the finals of the Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association (MMTBA) Tournament Wednesday at the Uno High School gym.

Forward John Kevin Baytan, one of the leading candidates for the coveted  MVP plum, started it right for the Blue Dragons as he knocked in the first triple of the  contest that saw the 14-time  champion take an early 16-8 lead.

They continued to move the ball fluidly in the succeeding quarters aside  from denying the 6-foot-3 Teng  enough space, thus padding  their lead to 55-37 going into the final  quarter which the Blue Dragons gallantly protected to completely wipe out Xavier’s twice-to-beat  advantage in their semis duel.

They   forced a knockout match with an 83-79 win last Monday.

With the win, Chiang Kai Shek secured the   right to face  unbeaten Hope Christian  High School in a  best-of-three title series starting on Monday in the event supported by   Regan Industrials Sales Inc. and World Balance.

The victory was  doubly meaningful for Chiang  Kai Shek College.

Not only did the Blue Dragons advance to the finals for the first time since  2007 but they also ended the four-year reign of the Golden  Stallions, who were hoping to win their 11th championship this year.

Baytan finished in double-double for CKSC with 27 points (10-16 FG,  including 3-for-6 from beyond the three-point arc) and 12 rebounds while Carlo Young and Joshua Tan  added 15 and 10 points, respectively.

Teng closed out his high school career with 18 points (4-for-18  from the field).

The  event has also the backing of  Uratex, Burlington, Summit Drinking Water, 100 Plus, Supreme  Steel Pipe, Superior Pipe, Ace Water Spa and Molten.

Meantime,  CKSC is also favored  to win the girls title against defending champion St. Jude Catholic School.