Tyler Tio erupted for 28 points to lead Xavier School to a come-from-behind 77-72 win over Chiang Kai Shek College and into the semis of the 3rd Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship-Ironcon Builders Cup at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym in Tondo, Manila.
The sweet-shooting Tio keyed a decisive 14-3 run in the last four minutes as the Xavier Stallions arranged a semis showdown with reigning UAAP champion National University.
Aside from shooting 10-of-20 from the field, including 3-of-6 from three-point territory, Tio also hauled down eight rebounds to highlight yet another solid all-around performance.
The NU Bullpups, on the other hand, went to Mark Dyke in the final half to eke out a pulsating 78-76 victory over the Mapua Red Robins.
Dyke delivered 10 of his game-high 20 points in the final period to help NU rally from a 66-60 deficit in the last five minutes. He also had 15 boards to finish in double-double for the third straight game.
The Baby Tamaraws, meanwhile, leaned on a torrid shooting of Marvin Lee and Tricky Peromingan in the first half to beat Hope Christian High School, 78-61, and advance to the semis of the tournament also sponsored by MEC Computers, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Rain or Shine, Hapee Toothpaste, Blackwater-Ever Bilena, Dickies Underwear and Freego.
Mapua had one last chance to win the game but Sherwin Concepcion, who tied the count at 76-all after burying back-to-back triples, missed the one that could have embellished his status as one of the league clutch shooters.
The Red Cubs leaned on the 21-point performance of Evan Furaque to dispatch the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers, 72-63.
Furaque scored all his 21 points in the second half, including the Red Cubs’ last 14 points in the third quarter to pull away for good.
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