Bullpups ready for PSSBC meet

MANILA, Philippines - Even without former ace Justine Baltazar, National U remains upbeat of its chances with a slew of player ready to step up for the Bullpups in the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) MEC Network Cup firing off Dec. 10 at the SGS gym in QC.

“They (Bullpups) lost one valuable player but they remain formidable,” said Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy, a member of the PSSBC Board of Governors, referring to Baltazar, who has graduated. “They have chemistry because they have been playing together for around two to three years already.”

Expected to lead NU’s charge are Rhayyan Amsali, also a prolific scorer and a slasher, John Lloyd Clemente and Winderlich Coyoca.

“The last two players have potential to become successful collegiate players. If they stay focused, they can even play in the PBA someday,” said Sy.

Winner of three of last five UAAP championships, NU and its supporters are confident they can also dominate the annual tournament dubbed as “Battle of Champions.”

Aside from Sy’s Blackwater and Leoncio Chua’s MEC Network, other godfathers of the elite event are Rudy Yu’s Dickies Underwear,Terry Que’s Poly Gloss Automotive Polyurethane System, Jimi Lim’s Ironcon Builders, Cecilio Pedro’s Hapee Toothpaste, , Eduard Tio’s Freego and Jimmy dela Cruz’s Ché Lu Bar & Grill.

Other backers of the tournament are Choi Garden, Hanabishi, World Balance, Davies Paints, and Philippine Airlines.