SAN BEDA College shrugged off a sluggish start to trounce former champion Hope Christian High School, 88-74, while Chiang Kai Shek College and Xavier School also posted opening-day wins in the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup last Saturday at San Beda Gym in Manila.
The Red Cubs leaned on Prince Etrata and Germy Mahinay down the stretch as they launched their title-retention bid in style.
Etrata and Mahinay combined for 12 points in the Red Cubs’ late breakaway at the start of the tournament dubbed “The Battle of Champions.”
The CKSC Blue Dragons crushed the Mapua Red Robins, 77-56, even as the Xavier Stallions nipped the Arellano Braves, 84-81.
Lyceum overpowered Manila Patriotic School, 77-68, in the other game.
The Blue Dragons pounced on a Mapua squad missing NCAA MVP Mike Enriquez, with Andre Oczon tallying 20 points including 13 in the second period.
Highly-regarded Tyler Tio pumped in 33 points for the Stallions.
Etrata paced the Cubs with 14 points while four other teammates contributed nine points or more, underscoring San Beda’s depth.
Mahinay and NCAA Finals Most Valuable Player Evan Nelle chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Junior Pirates relied on a late explosion from Ian Salazar, whose flurry of treys gave Lyceum a 53-50 lead heading into the final 10 minutes. Cedelf P. Tupas