TWO-TIME defending titlist Saint Jude Catholic School downed Pace Academy, 72-69, Tuesday night, January 31, in the 4th Philippine Ching Yuen Athletic Association Juniors basketball competitions at the Uno High School gym.
With the victory, the Judenites wrapped up their elimination-round assignments with a tournament-leading 6-1 win-loss record and now are assured of at least a playoff for the No. 1 seed in the quarterfinal playoffs that carry a twice-to-beat advantage over their opponents (No. 8 seed).
At 4-1, Makati Gospel Church-New Life Christian Academy can still tie SJCS at 6-1 with wins over Philippine Cultural College (February 4) and Grace Christian College (February 5) to force a playoff for the No. 1 seed with Saint Jude Catholic School. The Judenites had earlier defeated MGC-NLCA, 53-47, in elims play.
With the loss, Pace Academy fell to 4-2. While it can still finish as high as third with a victory over Jubilee Christian Academy (February 5), it can also slip to as low as fifth with a loss to Jubilee Christian Academy and coupled with a PCC win over MGC-NLCA.
In case of a two-way tie for the No. 2 seed and/or No. 4 spot, playoffs will be held to determine the final rankings after the elimination round.
Pace Academy (4-2) and Jubilee Christian Academy (3-2 and vs. Uno High School on Thursday, February 2) will clash on Sunday, February 5, with the winner vying possible for second or third spot and the loser incurring a third blemish that will drop it to fourth or fifth spot.
A three-way tie for the No. 2 seed is also a possibility with two potential combinations – MGC-NLCA, Philippine Cultural College (if it defeats MGC-NLCA on February 4) and Pace in one and MGC-NLCA, Philippine Cultural College and Jubilee Christian Academy in the other.
In such case, the quotient system will be applied to break the deadlock among the three teams. The team with the highest point differential will automatically earn the No. 2 spot (which also will enjoy a twice-to-beat incentive from the quarterfinals to the semifinals). The second and third teams following the application of the quotient system will clash in a playoff to decide which of them will be ranked higher (No. 3 or No. 4).
All eight member teams qualify for the quarterfinal playoffs. The top four seeds will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage over their respective opponents in the quarterfinals with matchups of No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5. The top two placers (or their respective quarterfinal foes if they are to win twice over them) will also own a two-games-to-win-one incentive in the semifinals.
Last Tuesday, SJCS scored the game’s final four points to seal the three-point victory over Pace Academy.
The Judenites’ meal ticket Maynard Yap led SJCS with 34 points – including a dozen in the fourth quarter – along with 13 rebounds. Joao Filipino added nine markers.
Pace was bannered by Pol Antiporda, who bucked a shoulder injury to finish with 21 points and 10 boards. Rhicky Alba knocked in four triples in the fourth quarter and totaled 12 points.
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