Staglets, Cubs dispute title

San Sebastian exacted revenge on Hope Christian while San Beda routed Mapua on Wednesday to forge an all-NCAA title showdown in the 2nd Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) at Chiang Kai Shek College gym.

Banking on ace gunner Ryan Costelo, Lorenzo Navarro and Jasper Magno, the Staglets rallied in the last 24 seconds of regulation to complete a 110-107 overtime win over Hope Christian High School—the same team that beat them in a one-game face-off last year.

Costelo fired 38 points on 10-of-11 shooting from the field, including 6-of-7 from  3-point area, to lead San Sebastian to redemption.

The Staglets  trailed Hope by four points with barely 24 ticks left, but Navarro and Magno made  clutch baskets to send the game into overtime.

The sweet-shooting Costelo then drilled in seven  points in the extra five minutes to get another chance of settling an old grudge with the Red Cubs in the tournament sponsored by Ever Bilena, Hapee Toothpaste, MEC Computer, Wrangler, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Ironcon Builders, Welcoat Paints, Dickies Underwear, Davies Paint and Spray & Seal Tire Sealant.

With Arvin Tolentino, Javee Mocon and John Ryan Gumtang at the helm, the Red Cubs produced scoring spurts in the second half to tally an 83-63 victory.

San Beda and San Sebastian dispute the title tomorrow at San Beda gym.