PHILIPPINE Cultural College scored the game’s final eight points to stun defending champion Saint Jude Catholic School, 58-54, and secure the No. 1 seed in the 18-Under Boys Juniors division of the 6th Philippine Ching Yuen Athletic Association (PCYAA) basketball competitions at the Uno High School gym in Tondo, Manila.
The Golden Seagulls, who trailed by four, 54-50, following a four-point play by the Green Knights’ Kiefe Chu at the 2:04 mark, completed the elimination round with a perfect 7-0 record.
With its first loss in seven outings, Saint Jude was relegated to the No. 2 seed. Regardless, it joined Philippine Cultural College as the top two seeds with a bye in the quarterfinal playoffs and an automatic passage to the semifinals armed with a twice-to-beat advantage over their respective foes.
High-leaping John Patrick Sy (18 points and 18 rebounds) and shifty winger Rafael Ckenji Pangilinan (11 points and 13 rebounds) each recorded a double-double for PCC. Put to waste was Mallechi Colby Lim’s 20-point, 11-rebound performance for Saint Jude.
The quarterfinal playoffs will commence on Wednesday, February 6, with No. 3 seed Jubilee Christian Academy clashing with No. 6 Grace Christian College and No. 4 St. Stephen’s High School taking on No. 5 Pace Academy at the Uno High School gym. Both Jubilee and St. Stephen’s own a twice-to-beat advantage.
In the semifinals, it will be No. 1 seed Philippine Cultural College against the winner of the SSHS-Pace quarterfinal duel and No. 2 seed Saint Jude Catholic School vs. the winner of the Jubilee Christian Academy-Grace Christian College quarterfinal series.
Meanwhile, unbeaten defending champion Jubilee Christian Academy and three-time third-placer Saint Jude Catholic School will slug it out for the Girls Juniors title on Saturday, February 16.
Bannered by the league’s back-to-back scoring queen with a 32.5-point average, the Lady Jubileeans completed the double-round elimination round of the five-team competitions with a lily-white 8-0 record.
In the finals, Jubilee needs only a victory over the Lady Green Knights to retain its crown. Saint Jude, on the other hand, must win twice to corral its first-ever crown since the event’s debut in Season 2.
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