Four teams took berth in the semifinal round of the 7th Baden Powell Cup Basketball Tournament with its elimination round about to end.

In a preview of what many people expect to see in the championship series, defending champion Chiang Kai Shek College trampled perennial rival St. Stephen’s High School, 74-45, last January 30. The game started out nip and tuck with the CKSC Blazing Dragons on top at the end of the first quarter, 16-13. But the complexion of the game started to favor the Dragons as they led by as much as eight points at the end of the second quarter. With the onset of the third quarter, the Stephenians came close and trailed by only four points, 32-28, but that proved to be their last hurrah as the Dragons started pulling away and led by as much as 19 points at the close of the third quarter. With the game controlled by the Dragons, the Stephenians decided to use their reserves and prepare for the equally important game next day, which will determine their ranking going to the semifinal round. The win for the Blazing Dragons, their seventh in as many games, gave them the top seed going into the semifinal round, which also automatically earns them a twice-to-beat advantage. The CKSC Blazing Dragons are supported by Steelhaus Manufacturing, DG Trio, Lights and Lamps, New Maxima Tire, Eng Bee Tin, and New Empire Printing in the tournament.

True enough, the Stephenians bounced back by defeating Philippine Cultural College – Manila on January 31, 50-35, the following day to finish the elimination round, with a 6 win, 1 loss record, which was good enough for second spot and another twice-to-beat advantage.

Chiang Kai Shek College and St. Stephen’s High School will be meeting either of the Philippine Cultural College teams from Manila and Caloocan in the semifinal round. The two PCC teams collide on Thursday, February 4, to determine which one of them will meet CKSC or SSHS in the semifinals.

Quezon City Christian Academy finished the elimination round with two straight wins over Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy, 96-33, and Hope Christian High School, 78-74. While losing to the QCCA Torchbearers, Hope Christian High School also got a taste of victory, outplaying Philadelphia High School, 83-41. Philadelphia remained winless after absorbing another loss courtesy of Philippine Cultural College-Annex, 66-29.

Cellar dwellers Philadelphia High School and Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy battle each other on February 6, with one of the teams finally earning their only win in this annual tournament organized by the Filipino-Chinese Scout Club and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bagumbayan Manila and Hammerhead Jeans and Shirts.

Schedule of Games: