Xavier five ‘ripe’ for PSSBC title turn

XAVIER School sets out to seek redemption when the fourth edition of the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) Jumbo Linoleum Plastic Cup’s veritable “Battle of Champions” gets going on Dec. 12 at San Beda College gym.

“Xavier is very formidable and at par with the best teams of UAAP and NCAA,” said former PSSBC chair and Blackwater Sports owner Dioceldo Sy.

The Golden Stallions bowed to the San Beda Red Cubs, 89-59, in last year’s title match.

This time, Xavier is expected to use that loss as a motivation in their bid to win bragging rights as the country’s top high school team.

“I believe they have the materials to duplicate the feats of San Sebastian and San Beda,” said PSSBC chair Jimmy dela Cruz.

San Sebastian bowed to Hope Christian High School in the inaugural championship, but the Staglets came back strong the following year to beat the Cubs in triple overtime to become the first champion school from NCAA.