Chiang Kai Shek College earned an unprecedented sixth straight championship crown in the 8th Baden Powell Cup Basketball Tournament by routing Philippine Cultural College, 80-70, in the third and deciding game of their best-of-three Finals played before a standing-room-only crowd at the CKSC Gymnasium last February 23.

The PCC Seagulls won the series opener on February 19 via double overtime, 94-92, but the CKSC Blazing Dragons made adjustments by applying full court pressure and air-tight defence throughout the second game held last February 19 to romp away with a convincing win over the Seagulls, 87-58. With the series tied at one each for the two protagonists, a winner-take-all match was set on February 23 to determine the year’s champion.

The bigger and heftier PCC Seagulls, bannered by six varsity players fresh from recent stints at the FCAAF and MASA leagues, came out strong in the opening salvo by controlling the boards and scoring easy baskets under the ring and within the perimeter. The first quarter ended with the Seagulls ahead, 19-16.

The Seagull’s lead ballooned to as much as twelve points early into the second canto as they continued to pounce on the Blazing Dragons using their height and built advantage. The defending champions, however, proved gritty and started waxing hot with their outside shooting to put the game within six, 27-21. Grizzly veteran John Kenneth Padilla, the 2010 BP Cup most valuable player awardee who led all scorers with 23 points in the second game, drew an offensive foul from PCC man-mountain Romar Vince Lee. This, however, proved fatal as Padilla’s head hit the floor hard, resulting in him being rushed to a nearby hospital. In many other situations, it would have been doomsday for a team to lose their main man with the game not even halfway through. But not for Chiang Kai Shek College which proved a tough nut to crack. Drawing strength from a full house crowd of supporters, the rest of the Blazing Dragons stepped up and played their hearts out, putting the game within one at half-time, 31-30, in favour of Philippine Cultural College.

Just like an engine powered by diesel fuel, the Blazing Dragons turbocharged in the third quarter, outrunning and outscoring the Seagulls with three booming triples from Mark Steven Wu, eight points from Kendrick Kyle Sy, and five marks each from Reyniel Carlo Choco and Gregory Patrick Licaros. The Seagulls fell behind for good, 50-63, going into the last ten minutes of regulation play.

The Seagulls tried to rally back behind scoring outputs from Lester Sulayao, Benedict Santos, and Romar Lee, but their effort became futile as Mark Wu sank another three triples spread over the final quarter, coupled by nine more markers from his team mates. As the final buzzer beat, the home crowd roared in jubilation, signalling the sixth year in a row that the CKSC Blazing Dragons reigns supreme in the tournament.

Awarding and closing ceremonies were held immediately after the game to recognize the deserving teams and players. The championship trophy was presented to now six-time champion Chiang Kai Shek College by Rotary Club of Bagumbayan Manila President-elect Richard Chuachiaco, Filipino-Chinese Scout Club Past President Chua Keng Hua, and Fil-Chi Television Media Vice-President Andrew Kentson Tan. CKSC President Dr. Bee Ching Ong Kian Koc and Vice-President Carmelita Espino accepted the trophy amidst loud cheers from thousands of CKSC students, teachers, parents, and alumni who watched the final game. Also on hand were Hannibal Chua, Robert, Guerra, Wai Lin Sing, Joyce Dy, Kua Yan Yee and Henry Lee, the team managers.

PCC Vice-President Sining Kotah, former Principal and PCC Board Member Emilio Gan, Athletics Director Hector Chua and other school officials received the first-runner up trophy for the gallant Seagulls. Also receiving their trophies were Hope Christian High School, second runner-up, and Quezon City Christian Academy, third runner-up.

Sportsmanship awards were given to other participating schools, including St. Stephen’s High School, Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy, Republic Institute, Philippine Academy of Sakya, Philadelphia High School, and Grace Christian College, presented in order of final ranking. Medals were presented to their best players, namely Harold Stephen Cua (SSHS), Allen Dionisio (PPCHA), Kevin Rojas (RI), Darrel Ang (PAS), Edison Lam (PHS), and Ric Madison Cua (GCC).

CKSC skipper Kendrick Kyle S. Sy was chosen Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. Joining him in the mythical five selection were John Kenneth Padilla (CKSC), Romar Vince Lee (PCC), Sedney Lao (HCHS), and Don Alvin Klinton Tan (QCCA).