XAVIER School-Acrocity x Zhoosh shot the lights out in a huge 73-69 Game 2 stunner of Hua Siong College of Iloilo-Lamtex Pipes last Wednesday night at The Arena in San Juan to force the winner-take-all affair in the Fil-Chinese Athletic Association Inc. (FCAAI) 40s Division finals.
Eldridge Liao proved to be the unlikely hero for Xavier, draining four triples in the fourth quarter, none bigger than his three from way out with 4.4 seconds left that made it a two-possession game and extend the best-of-three series to a decider.
Liao actually scored all of his 18 points from downtown which was part of a sizzling 14-of-45 three-point shooting for AAXS which dealt Hua Siong its first ever defeat in the inaugural staging of the alumni league which has PGFlex Linoleum, Cellboy, Triangle Tires, Jiang Nan, BYD Valenzuela, Powerhouse Tools, Hangry Pares, Genius, and Lamtex Pipes serving as co-presentors.
Chris Tiu starred for Xavier as he fired nine of his 20 points in the payoff period to couple with his seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals, as Joseph Yeo topped his side with 22 points, six boards, and six dimes before fouling out with 40.7 ticks left.
They will try to replicate that hot shooting come Game Three on Friday, still at the same venue.
James Yap was the lone bright spot for Hua Siong, coming off the bench to pace their crew with 23 points on 4-of-11 shooting from distance, on top of five rebounds and four assists as the Ilonggo side squandered an early 17-point lead to taste their first loss in 12 games.
It was a rather forgettable showing for the HSCI supporting cast in a night where Yap, together with Ken Bono, Leo Canuday, and Rhagnee Sinco all being named in the Mythical First Team. The trio combined for a measly 20 points on a forgettable 8-of-20 shooting while accounting for six of their team’s 18 errors.
