SAINT Jude Catholic School brought down host Jubilee Christian Academy, 67-55, in Game 3 of the Finals series to regain the Boys’ Juniors’ crown of the PCYAA men’s basketball tournament at the UNO High School Gym.
It was a sweet victory for the Judenites, who reclaimed the title after losing last year to MGC New Life Christian Academy.
The Judenites got off off to a strong start, grabbing a commanding 19-point lead (37-18) at halftime, but found themselves threatened by the Jubileeans, who unloaded 10 unanswered points in the third period.
Jubilee Christian came close to within six, but that was the closest it could get as a putback by Charles Sy just before the third quarter buzzer sounded gave the Judenites a 45-37 edge.
In the final period, Saint Jude got its second wind as a triple from Josiah Filipino started things going for the squad.
Kiefe Chu’s left corner triple and Adrian Pe’s follow up shoved SJCS safely ahead, 63-50, with only 2:24 remaning.
Three players scored in double digits for Saint Jude, Josiah Filipino, who had 13, capped by two triples in the fourth quarter; Pe, who had 11 to go along with 19 rebounds; and Matthew Ang, who had 11, including a pair of treys.
Charles Sy contributed eight points and grabbed 13 boards. Lance Chan, who was held scoreless in the first two games, scored eight points and Mallechi Lim added five markers, 10 boards and four assists.
Ang, Chan, Sy and Pe have now completed their PCYAA eligibility.