HOPE Christian High School and San Sebastian College did an improbable Friday, pulling off dramatic victories over fancied rivals to forge an unlikely title showdown in the 1st Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym in Manila.
Jollo Go buried three triples and converted all his five free throws at crunch time as Hope Christian hacked out a 67-60 victory over Letran in their knockout Final Four showdown.
Go’s three successive treys highlighted the team’s 11-0 onslaught that saw them turn a three-point deficit into a 54-46 edge.
The Staglets, on the other hand, leaned on the gutsy plays of starting guard Ryan Costelo to get back at NCAA tormentor San Beda College, 75-71.
The one-game face-off for the title will be aired on Basketball TV (Channel 34) presented by BonChon Chicken and Davies Paints.
The Red Cubs appeared headed for another breezy win when they took a 63-53 lead but Costelo, Alfren Gayosa and Rhanzel Yong joined forces to rally the Staglets to one of the biggest wins of the tournament backed by Ironcon Builders, MEC Networks, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Wrangler, Welcoat House Paints, Hapee Toothpaste, Dickies Underwear and Blackwater Sports.