Four-game bill fires off PSSBC high school hoop

THE BATTLE for high school basketball supremacy begins today as the top teams from the country’s premier leagues slug it out in the 3rd Philippine Secondary School Basketball Championship (PSSBC) Ironcon Builders Cup at Chiang Kai Shek College gym in Tondo, Manila.

Reigning UAAP titlist National University tests the mettle of Tiong Lian league’s Chiang Kai Shek College in the featured match of the heavy four-game bill at 1 p.m. The winner of the match is likely to clinch one of the final berths following the last-minute withdrawal of powerhouse Ateneo.

San Beda, which became the winningest team in the NCAA with 21 titles after beating Mapua last month, takes on University of the Philippines at 2:30 p.m. The Junior Maroons took the place of the Eaglets who opted to train for the coming UAAP season.

Without Ateneo, a three-way battle for the final two berths among San Beda, NU and Chiang Kai Shek College is expected.

Invited as special guests in the opening rites at 12 noon are Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan, SBP vice chair Ricky Vargas, SBP executive director Sonny Barrios and PBA officials, led by league chair Pato Gregorio of Talk ’N Text.

Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes and team sparkplup Jimmy Alapag will also be there to receive the P1-million bonus pledged by three PSSBC governors—Hapee Toothpaste’s Dr. Cecilio Pedro, Blackwater-Ever Bilena’s Dioceldo Sy and Freego’s Eduard Tio—for the team’s fine form in the recent Fiba World Cup in Spain.

“With the presence of PBA and SBP officials, we hope our players will be further motivated to play their best,” said PSSBC chair Jimi Lim.

Clashing in the opening game at 10 a.m. are Far Eastern University and Tiong Lian’s St. Stephen’s HS while Xavier School collides with University of the East at 4 p.m.

San Sebastian opens its title-retention bid versus NU on Sunday in the event also sponsored by Rain or Shine, Freego, Hapee Toothpaste, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Dickies Underwear, Blackwater-Ever and MEC Computers.

Other teams seeing action are inaugural champion Hope Christian High School, Jose Rizal University and Mapua. Games in the  PSSBC will be covered by Aksyon TV.