Chiang Kai Shek College and St. Stephen’s High School remained unbeaten halfway through the elimination round of the 7th Baden Powell Cup Basketball Tournament which opened last January 9.

Defending their title for the fourth consecutive year, the CKSC Blazing Dragons chalked up three more wins over the past week to remain on top of the eight-team field that features promising hoopsters from Chinese-Filipino schools in Metro Manila. Sans two of its players, Kenneth Padilla and Wearvin Payales who were not used in the game, the Blazing Dragons still easily defeated Philippine Cultural College – Manila, 79-48, last January 13. PCC-Manila was led by Benedict Santos who scored 23 points in the game.

CKSC continued its winning ways over the weekend by defeating Philadelphia High School, 132-46, and Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy, 111-42. Adding their opening week wins over Philippine Cultural College-Caloocan and Hope Christian High School, the Blazing Dragons has won all its five elimination round games so far and will aim to sweep the eliminations as it meets Quezon City Christian Academy on January 23 and perennial rival St. Stephen’s High School on January 30.

The CKSC Blazing Dragons draws support from its sponsors, namely Steelhaus Manufacturing, New Empire Printing, Eng Bee Tin, DG Trio, Lights and Lamps, New Maxima Tire Supply, and Sing Merchandising.

Keeping pace with the Blazing Dragons is St. Stephen’s High School, which remains unblemished after 4 games in the elimination round. After its opening day squeaker over the Quezon City Christian Academy Torchbearers, the Stephenian Scouts marched past Philippine Cultural College-Annex last January 10, and added up two more win over the weekend, defeating Hope Christian High School, 58-33, and Philadelphia High School, 112-49, to retain second spot in the elimination round to-date. The Stephenians take on Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy this Sunday.

Running third with a 3 win, 1 loss slate is Philippine Cultural College – Manila, which won last Sunday over Hope Christian High School, 55-47. PCC-Manila Seagulls’ only lost in 4 games came from the CKSC Dragons four days ago.

In a closely contested match, Philippine Cultural College-Caloocan earned its first win after 2 losses at the expense of the QCCA Torchbearers, 72-68. As a result, Hope Christian High School, PCC-Caloocan, and QCCA are bunched together in a logjam for the final semifinal slot.

Philadelphia High School and Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy are still at the rear end of the derby, seeking to notch their first wins in this tournament sponsored by the Chinese-Filipino Business Club, the Rotary Club of Bagumbayan Manila, and Hammerhead Jeans and Shirts.

Schedule of Games: