HAIL to Saint Jude Catholic School, the new 18-under Boy Juniors champion in the 5th Philippine Ching Yuen Athletic Association (PCYAA) basketball festivities.
The Judenites whipped Season 5 host Jubilee Christian Academy, 67-55, in the decisive Game Three of the best-of-three titular series to regain the Boys Juniors crown it surrendered to MGC New Life Christian Academy last season following a two-year reign.
It was Saint Jude Catholic School’s third championship overall in five straight PCYAA Finals trips.
SJCS got off to a strong start, grabbing a commanding 19-point lead (37-18) at halftime.
The huge disadvantage was simply too huge for the Jubileeans to overhaul despite opening the third-quarter fireworks with a 10-0 blitz.
The Jubileeans dug themselves too a big hole to overcome despite opening the third-quarter hostilities with a 10-0 run.
JCA closed in at 43-37 but a putback by the bull-shouldered Charles Sy just before the quarter-ending buzzer sounded gave the Judenites a 45-37 edge heading into the final 10 minutes of the game – and the season.
By the time, the Judenites of rookie coach Japs Cuan had regained their second wind following Jubilee’s frenetic scramble to slice its deficit to a manageable margin in the third frame.
Josiah Filipino started the fourth and final canto with a shot from beyond the arc for a 48-37 SJCS lead. nother 3-ball from Filipino helped the Judenites maintain an 11-point edge, 53-42, with 8:15 remaining. Moreover, it was the start of a momentum-shifting 7-0 run that was capped by baskets from Lance Chan and Mallechi Colby Lim and propelled the Mendiola-based team to a 57-42 advantage at the 7:08 mark.
A visibly fatigued Carlo Lim struck for four consecutive baskets (including three driving layups) to trim JCA’s deficit to 58-50, time down to 4:02.
Within the next 39 seconds, however, JCA’s bid for the greatest comeback in Finals history evaporated. Pint-sized but heady guard Kiefe Chu buried a booming left corner triple and hardworking center Adrian Pe had a putback to lift SJCS to a 63-50 lead with 2:24 remaining.
Two subsequent defensive stops by Saint Jude – a Sy steal and a Chu defensive rebound off a missed fielder by Jubilee’s Lim – kept Jubilee from making any headway though slim it may seem at the point.
Following a twinner by JCA’s Kyle Barraza off his own steal, SJCS’ cool and calm point guard Matthew Ang, a five-year PCYAA Juniors veteran, buried a triple past from the free-throw line for a 66-52 lead that finally broke the backs of the Jubileeans.
Three players scored in double digits for the Judenites – Josiah Filipino, 13 points (including two of his three triples in the fourth quarter); Pe, 11 (to go with his 19 rebounds); and Ang, 11 (including a pair of
3-balls). Sy contributed eight points and plucked down 13 boards. Lance Chan, who was held scoreless in each of the first two games in the series, scored eight points and Mallechi Colby Lim added five scores along with 10 boards and four assists.
Ang, Chan, Sy and Pe have now completed their PCYAA eligibility.
Jubilee, which extended the Finals series to a maximum three games with a 66-57 win in Game Two last February 22, was paced by Carlo Lim with 26 points and nine rebounds. No other Jubileean was in double-digit scores. Andrei Yu netted nine points and nine rebounds before fouling out with 23.3 seconds left. Barraza was limited to six markers. Roland Roldan buried two threes and also had six points to go with his seven reebies.
In Season 5 PCYAA Basketball, there were different champions in the four divisions.
League newcomer Saint Stephen’s High School topped Jubilee Christian Academy, 2-1, for the 12-under Developmental title after capturing the last two games. Grace Christian College overcame a 1-0 deficit to beat Pace Academy in three games during the 14-under Aspirants Finals.
Jubilee Christian Academy pulverized three-time titlist Uno High School twice to secure the Girls Juniors diadem. And finally, Saint Jude Catholic School grabbed the Boys Juniors title with a 2-1 decision over JCA.
Jubilee earned a podium finish in all four divisions this season – 1-Girls Juniors, 2-Boys Juniors, 2-Developmental and 3-Aspirants. Saint Jude was involved in three divisions – 1-Boys Juniors, 3-Girls Juniors and 3-Developmental. Saint Stephen’s High School secured medals in two divisions – 1-Developmental and 3-Boys Juniors.
MGC New Life Christian Academy is the host for PCYAA Season 6, which is set to unwrap in November this year.
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