CKSC tops San Beda, battles DLSZ for title

THERE will be a new champion in the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championships-Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup this year.

Chiang Kai Shek College brought down defending champion San Beda College, 68-58, Saturday to clinch the second finals berth at SGS gym in Quezon City.

Jonas Tibayan led CKSC’s assault with 13 points and 18 rebounds and got big help from Martin Galinato whose steady shooting from the free throw line helped the Blue Dragons stave off several Red Cubs uprising.

CKSC was battling early finalist De La Salle Zobel in a one-game title face-off at press time. The winner joins the elite list of champions that included Hope Chris- tian High School, San Sebastian and San Beda.

The Junior Archers advanced to the final with an emphatic 110-66 win over Hope Christian last Saturday in the tournament also sponsored by MEC Networks, Dickies Underwear, Freego, Rain or Shine, Ironcon Builders, Hapee Toothpaste and Blackwater Sports with Molten as official ball.

The Blue Dragons’ pressure defense held the Red Cubs to just nine points in the first quarter.

Evan Nelle paced a furious Cubs fightback in the fourth period, firing five straight points to cut the Dragons’ lead to three, 61-58, with under two minutes to play.

But Galinato helped thwart the rally by scoring six late free throws.