Xavier, St. Jude bag semis advantage in PCYAA Invitational

Xavier School and St. Jude Catholic School bagged advantages in the semifinals as they finished in the top two spots of the Philippine Ching Yuen Athletic Association 10th Anniversary Invitational Basketball Tournament.

Xavier School finished on top of the standings after completing a 10-game sweep in the elimination round. The Golden Stallions completed the sweep after a 99-45 romp of Philippine Cultural College on Saturday at the MGC-New Life Gym in Taguig.

Brent Tiu led Xavier with 18 points, seven steals, and five assists, while Andrew Choa, who made his debut, registered a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

St. Jude Catholic School, on its ninth consecutive win, secured the second spot with a 97-39 dismantling of Hope Christian High School behind Ethan Kaw's 25 points last February 5.

With the top two spots secured, the Golden Stallions (10-0) and the Green Knights (9-1) advanced to the semis, with two more spots left for the quarters.

Xavier will wait for the winner of the no. 4 seed and twice-to-beat St. Stephen's High School Stephenanians (7-3) and no. 5 Chiang Kai Shek College Blue Dragons (6-4).

Meanwhile, third-seeded Pace Academy Pacers (8-2), who also has a twice-to-beat bonus, will face no. 6 PCC Golden Seagulls (5-5), for a chance to meet St. Jude in the semis.

The quarters are scheduled on February 14 at the Uno High School Gym.

Jubilee Christian Academy Jubileeans (4-6), MGC-New Life Christian Academy New Lifers (3-7), Uno High School Blue Pandas (2-8), Grace Christian College Spartans (1-9), and Hope Christian High School Soldiers (0-10) failed to make it to the playoffs.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News