by Henry Liao (72)

Seven-time defending champion Xavier School goes for the jugular when it takes on Chiang Kai Shek College on Monday, February 15, in Game Two of the best-of-three Aspirants Division finals of the 40th MetroManila Tiong Lian Basketball Association tournament.

The game will be held at the Jacinto Tiu Competition Court inside the Xavier School campus at 2:00 p.m.

Xavier School is 8-0 so far in the tournament and will capture a record-extending eighth straight Aspirants title with another victory.

In the series opener at the CKSC gym last February 13, the Golden Stallions blew a 66-50 lead after three quarters before holding on to a 76-71 victory over the Blue Dragons.

With a minute left, CKSC came within five points, 74-69, before bulky Korea-born Chang Gi Hong scored on an undergoal stab then pulled down an errant CKSC field attempt on the defensive end to help Xavier School seal the outcome.

The Gold and Blue led from start to finish, knocking the game’s first eight points, including a triple each from Jarrell Lim and Anton Lapez, both members of the RP Under-14 training pool under coach Mark Herrera.

Xavier School, which is seeking a record-extending eighth straight Aspirants crown, led 28-13 after the first 10-minute quarter and was ahead 44-29 at halftime.

Coach John Sy’s boys were not really challenged until the game’s final minute.

Lapez wound up as the Stallions’ leading scorer with 23 points, including five three-pointers.

Lim, who was utilized sparingly in the second half after a bout with cramps, knocked in four triples and totaled 16 points.

Stratospheric Isaac Go, a 13-year-old, seventh-grader, was outstanding on both ends of the floor, collecting 10 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots.  Go’s Twin Towers partner, Hong, added nine points.

Chiang Kai Shek College, which dropped a 2-1 decision to Xavier School in the 2009 finals, got 22 points each from John Gallego and Bobby Francisco.  John Nonato contributed 15 points and Rainer Magkalas scored nine for the losers.

If necessary, the third game will be played on Wednesday, February 17 (5:30 p.m.), at the CKSC gym.