St. Stephen’s High School and Philippine Cultural College look to complete the semifinal cast as they face separate opponents in the 40-and-Over Division of the Fil-Chinese Athletic Association Inc. on Friday at the Tanduay Gym in Quiapo.
Third-seeded SCAG-St. Stephen’s takes on Big Chill-Chiang Kai Shek College at 7 p.m., while No. 4 Eastern Communications-backed PCC faces No. 5 GT Radial-Grace Christian College at 8:30 p.m.
The winners of the knockout quarterfinal matches will join top seed and defending champion Hua Siong College and No. 2 Xavier School in the semifinals, which begin on Monday, July 20.
After finishing first and second in the elimination round, the James Yap-led Hua Siong College and Xavier, bannered by former PBA stars Chris Tiu and Joseph Yeo, need just one victory in the semifinals to set up another highly anticipated championship showdown.
Hua Siong College and Xavier figured in a thrilling three-game title series last year that drew a massive crowd, with Yap and former UAAP MVP Ken Bono playing key roles for Hua Siong.
Although CKSC finished sixth in the elimination round, the Blue Dragons enter the quarterfinals with momentum after stunning St. Stephen’s, 73-72, thanks to Wendell Yvo Yu’s game-winning four-point play with just 15 seconds remaining.
Former Mapua standout Sean Co powered CKSC with 21 points, nine rebounds, and two assists, while Christian Luanzon—now a member of the University of the Philippines coaching staff in the UAAP—paced St. Stephen’s with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists.
Grace Christian College also heads into its matchup against PCC with confidence after a 73-63 victory over Trigem-Uno High last Monday, with Allan Anson Tan erupting for 22 points.
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.
