Game Friday (Uno HS Gym)

5: 30 p.m. — Xavier vs GCC

MANILA, Philippines — Multi-titled Chiang Kai Shek College and St. Jude Catholic School blasted their respective rivals to advance to the Final Four of the Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association (MMTBA) Tournament as expected Tuesday at the Uno High School gym.

The Blue Dragons got off to a quick start en route to posting a breezy 70-50 win over St. Stephen’s High School while the Judenites overpowered Uno High School, 67-53, to join outright qualifier Hope Christian High School in the semis.

The fourth and last semis duel will be disputed by No. 2 seed and four-time defending Xavier School and host Grace Christian College on Friday also at the Uno HS gym. Being the No. 1 seed team, Hope Christian enjoys a twice-to-beat advantage over St. Jude when they clash next week.

Hope Christian is aching to end a 19-year-title drought in the event presented by Regan Industrials Sales Inc. and World Balance.

If the Online Phils.-backed Xavier Golden Stallions beat the host squad again, they will also secure the same privilege as Hope Christian when they clash with the Blue Dragons in the semis in a game that is expected to relive their rivalry.

In the Aspirants division of the event backed by Uratex, Burlington, Summit Drinking Water, 100 Plus, Supreme Steel Pipe, Superior Pipe, Ace Water Spa and Molten, No. 1 seed Chiang Kai Shek College and nine-time defending champion Xavier start their best-of-three title series on Saturday.