Agape routs GCA, extends streak

Agape Christian School’s Eason Tang takes a point-blank shot against a Grace Christian School defender during their game in the CCOPSA middle school caging yesterday at GCA’s court in Navy Hill. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Agape Christian School eased its way to a victory over Grace Christian Academy, 58-16, in the Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League yesterday at GCA’s court.

The Torchbearers were off to the races right in the opening tip to take a commanding 27-4 lead in the first half en route to their eighth win in as many games. While Agape kept its streak, GCA absorbed its second straight defeat and fell to a 3-4 record.

Agape managed to control the game early with its grit and hustle as 8 of its 17 points in the first period came from second-chance shots. The Torchbearers’ suffocating defense then stonewalled GCA, as the Eagles didn’t score until midway through the second period.

On offense, Jordan Miao scored 6 straight points to start things off for Agape, while David Zheng added 5 points, and Caleb Cai, Eason Tang and Steve Qiu also made it to the board in the first quarter.

Tang and Zheng continued to build on their lead in the second quarter, as the former cleaned up his teammates’ misses with two putbacks and the latter glided in for two fastbreak layups. Eric Chen made it an 8-0 run for the Torchbearers, as they posted their biggest lead in the first half, 27-0.

The Eagles avoided another shutdown when Ryan Daproza and Justin Du finally hit their target at the halfway mark of the second canto.

Though GCA managed to end its silence and nailed a couple more baskets in the third period, the Eagles still fell behind, as Zheng, Hu, Miao, and Tang teamed up in handing Agape a 42-12 advantage, heading to the fourth.

Tang went on to finish off GCA in the final canto after recording 10 points.

Zheng led all scorers with his 18 points, while Tang and Miao chipped in with 14 and 12 markers, respectively.

Meanwhile, Agape completed a sweep yesterday after prevailing in the girls division match, 32-16.

Jenny Lin carried Agape to victory, as she accounted for 26 of the team’s total points. Elvira Zhang, Mei Ou, and Kristy Wang also scored in Agape’s easy win.

The Lady Torchbearers now hold a division best 3-0 record, while the Lady Eagles dropped to a 1-3 mark.

Boys Division
ACS 58—Zheng 18, Tang 14, Miao 12, Cai 4, Bao 2, Hu 2, Liang 2, Qiu 2.
GCA 16—Daproza 5, Alepuyo 4, Lerio 4, Yumul 2 Justin Du 1.
Scoring by quarters: 17-0, 27-4, 42-12, 58-16.