Red Cubs, Baby Lancers gain PSSBC quarters

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda and University of Visayas turned back their respective rivals last Sunday and took the first two quarterfinal berths in the sixth PSSBC Dickies Underwear Cup at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym in Manila.

The Red Cubs, the 2014 champions, clobbered the reigning UAAP champion Far Eastern University Baby Tams, 65-43, to advance to the knockout playoff round with a second straight victory in Group A.

The Baby Lancers also overpowered the debuting Paco Catholic Academy Foundation side, 83-63, in their Group C encounter.

Beim Laurente drilled in four triples and finished with 18 points while seven other teammates added at least five points apiece as UV, the reigning CESAFI titlist, scored a strong follow-up to its 89-78 stunner over Mapua in the opener of the event sponsored by Hapee Toothpaste owner Dr. Cecilio Pedro, Blackwater’s Dioceldo Sy, Freego Jeans’ Eduard Tio, Terry Que of Poly Gloss and Rain or Shine, Che Lu Bar & Grill’s Jimmy dela Cruz and MEC Computers’ Leoncio Chua.

UAAP powerhouse National University, meanwhile, proved steadier down the stretch as it outlasted 2015 champion Chiang Kai Shek College to pull off a thrilling 73-71 victory in Group B.

Rhayyan Amsali fell a rebound short of a double-double as he shot 18 points while Winderlich Coyoca delivered the killer blows that enabled the Bullpups to foil the Blue Dragons on their home floor in the event backed by Choi Garden, Davies Paints, Cherrylume Roofing, Sumo GI Sheets, Molten and Masumax Food Supplement.

John Galinato sizzled with a game-high 24 points but missed a potential game-winning triple at the buzzer as CKSC dropped to 1-1 record after scoring an 81-65 rout of Letran last Saturday.