TOP-seeded Saint Jude Catholic School takes on eighth-seeded Grace Christian College on Wednesday, February 7, at the start of the quarterfinal playoffs of the 18-under Boys Juniors division in the 5th Philippine Ching Yuen Athletic Association (PCYAA) basketball competitions at the Uno High School gym in Tondo, Manila.
Last year’s second-placers, the Judenites finished the elimination round with an immaculate 7-0 record in the eight-school tournament, including an 89-29 shellacking of the winless Graceans (0-7), grabbed the No. 1 seed following their 72-39 rout of Pace Academy (3-4).
Josiah Filipino buried four triples in succession in the third quarter en route to a 19-point output in SJCS’ victory over the fifth-seeded Pacers, who suffered their third defeat in a row.
Jubilee Christian Academy blasted defending champion MGC New Life Christian Academy, 69-51, to secure the No. 2 seed. Carlo Lim racked up 28 points, nine steals and six rebounds for the host team, which along with Saint Jude Catholic School will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage over their opponents in the knockout quarterfinal and semifinal playoffs.
JCA will tangle with No. 7 seed Uno High School (1-6) on Thursday, February 8, in their quarterfinal series. The Jubileeans crushed the Uneans, 79-57, during their elims encounter.
League newcomer Saint Stephen’s High School whipped Uno High School, 62-41, to gain the No. 3 seed with its 5-2 card. Kevson Lamadrid netted 12 points and teammate Sean Ng collected 11 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocks as the Stephenians stretched their winning streak to five games heading into the quarterfinals, where they will duke it out with sixth-seeded MGC-NLCA (2-5) on Thursday, February 8, armed with a twice-to-beat incentive.
SSHS edged MGC NLCA, 58-56, in overtime during their elimination meeting.
Philippine Cultural College took the fourth and last quarterfinal ticket that carries a twice-to-beat advantage after pulverizing Grace Christian College, 97-66, to break a two-game losing streak and lift its ledger to 4-3. Jad Racal (25) and Rico Wu (24, five triples) combined for 49 points for the Seagulls, who will be meeting the Pacers in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, February 7.
During their elimination-round encounter at the Filoil Flying V Centre, PCC downed Pace, 75-72, in overtime.
Rubber matches will be held on Saturday, February 10, if any of the four lower-seeded teams score a victory in their respective quarterfinal duels.