San Beda, 4 others gain PSSBC QF

NCAA titlist San Beda rode  the hot shooting of Chami Diputado to pull off a come-from-behind 76-74 win over Hope Christian High School while reigning UAAP champion National University stayed in contention in the 3rd Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) Ironcon Builders Cup Sunday at Chiang Kai Chek College gym.

Diputado fired 29 points on 9-of-18 shooting and issued six assists to lead the Red Cubs to their second straight win in Group D and into the crossover quarterfinals set Saturday.

The NU Bullpups exploded for 28 points in the third period on the way to scoring a 78-68 win over the defending champion San Sebastian Staglets to remain in contention for a quarterfinal berth in Group A.

The Bullpups suffered a heartbreaking 73-71 double overtime loss to the Chiang Kai Shek College in the opener last Saturday.

Mark Dyke produced a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards and delivered six markers in the third quarter, allowing the Bulldogs to erect an 11-point spread, 59-48.

Also making it to the next round of the tournament backed by Dickies Underwear, MEC Computers, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Hapee Toothpaste, Freego, Ever Bilena-Blackwater and Rain or Shine were Jose Rizal University and Far Eastern University in Group B and Mapua and Xavier in Group C.

The Light Bombers routed St. Stephen High School, 100-34, while the Red Robins blasted the University of the East Baby Warriors, 67-58.  St. Stephen and UE bowed out with 0-2 records.