San Beda, Hope ice PSSBC semis cast

DEFENDING champion San Beda reaffirmed its mastery over NCAA rival Arellano University even as Hope Christian High School stunned Xavier School and completed the semifinal cast in the 2015 Philippine Schools Secondary Basketball Championships (PSSBC) Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup on Thursday at Philippine Buddhacare Academy in Quezon City.

San Beda needed the heroics of NCAA Finals MVP Evan Nelle and Albert Bordeus to repulse Arellano, 98-90, and arrange a semis meeting with Chiang Kai Shek College.

Hope Christian also went through the wringer before eking out a 68-64 win over the Xavier Stallions that secured for them the right to meet early semifinalist De La Salle-Zobel.

The two semifinal matches will be played today at SGS gym in Quezon City La Salle-Zobel facing Hope Christian at 1 p.m. before San Beda tackles CKSC at 2:45 p.m.

Bordeus and Nelle finished with 18 apiece to lead a balanced attack by the Red Cubs that saw four other players break the double digit barrier.

Sam Abuhijle notched a double double of 13 points and 10 boards with Germy Maghinay contributing 11 markers and 12 rebounds while Prince Etrata and Robi Nayve chipping in 12 and 10, respectively.

Guillmer dela Torre was his usual self for the Braves, notching 18 points, but he had five of the Braves’ 18 missed free throws that hastened their downfall.

Pilipinas Batang Gilas standout Harvey Pagsanjan led Hope’s attack tallying 18 points and 15 rebounds. Also shining for Hope Christian was Ryan Quiambao who scored 20 points and held Xavier gunner Tyler Tio to just nine points on 4-14 shooting, a far cry from his 29-point average for the tournament.