The rivalry between James Yap and Chris Tiu is set for another chapter as defending champion Hua Siong College-Iloilo and Xavier School arranged a title rematch in the 40-and-above division of the Fil-Chinese Athletic Association Inc. after winning their respective semifinal games on Monday, July 20, at the Tanduay Gym in Quiapo.
A two-time PBA Most Valuable Player, Yap teamed up with Rhragnee Sinco and Ken Bono to power the Lamtex Pipes-backed Hua Siong to a dominant 108-74 victory over GT Radial-Grace Christian College in the day’s opening semifinal.
Yap played just over 18 minutes but still finished with 14 points on a perfect 2-of-2 shooting from three-point range, while adding six rebounds and three assists. Bono chipped in 17 points, highlighted by three triples, while Sinco led Hua Siong with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Jaypee Belencion also contributed 13 points and five assists.
On the other side, former Rain or Shine standout Chris Tiu scored five of his game-high 34 points in the fourth quarter as the Powersox-AcroCity-backed Xavier School edged SCAG-St. Stephen’s High School, 74-71.
Game 1 of their best-of-three championship series is set for Friday, with the Golden Stallions looking to avenge last year’s finals defeat, where they fell to Hua Siong in three games.
(C) FCAAI
The semifinal was highlighted by a thrilling scoring duel between Tiu and Christian Luanzon of St. Stephen’s.
With the game tied at 69, Tiu buried a crucial three-pointer to put Xavier ahead for good.
Tiu received solid support from Joseph Yeo, Eldridge Liao, and Randy Chua. Yeo finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Liao and Chua combined for 14 points.
Luanzon matched Tiu’s brilliance with 27 points and 16 rebounds, but his stellar performance wasn’t enough as Xavier leaned on the clutch play of Tiu and the steady production of Yeo to secure the win.
The nine-school league is backed by Genius Hardware, Ultraforce Tires, Cellboy, PGFlex Linoleum, Boysen, Lamtex Pipes, Jiang Nan, Hangry Pares, Powerhouse Tools, L.F. Fireworks, BYD Valenzuela, BAIC, Jetour, Yong Kee Roasting House, 1118 Autospa, and TCL.
