Hope Christian High School finally ended six years of futility by stunning multi-titled Chiang Kai Shek College, 57-44, to win the Filipino Chinese Amateur Athletics Championship recently at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym in Tondo, Manila.
Led by Christian Pauco and Harvey Pagsanjan, the Hope Christian dribblers outscored the Blue Dragons, 17-10, in the payoff period to end their rivals’ reign in the country’s premier Fil-Chinese tournament.
Hope Christian’s title win was its fifth since 1992. It also triumphed in 1993, 2011 and 2012.
Dr. Cecilio Kwok Pedro, owner of Hapee Toothpaste and school’s chief backer, is hoping the school’s victory over CKSC could be the start of something good for the team as it vies in the prestigious PSSBC Tournament of Champions in December.
Hope Christian coordinator Bernard Yang said the team is hoping to become the first two-time champion of the PSSBC having won the inaugural tournament seven years ago.
Pauco led Hope Christian with 18 points to emerge as the Final MVP while Pagsanjan, who added 16 points and grabbed a game-high 17 boards, emerged as the tournament’s MVP.
Hope Christian and Chiang Kai Shek will represent FCAAF in the Tournament of Champions.
