Red Cubs survive Bullpups; Staglets stun Baby Tams

MANILA, Philippines - Four-time NCAA champion San Beda College hacked out another thriller against National University but San Sebastian College pulled off a shock win over UAAP titlist Far Eastern University-Diliman in the first Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym last Sunday.

Drawing big games from NCAA Finals MVP Jayvee Mocon and former Phl U-18 standout Arvie Tolentino and Alejandro Inigo, the Red Cubs outlasted the Bullpups, 71-66, for their second straight win in Group B.

Inigo topscored for the Red Cubs with 17 points, including seven in the final period while Tolentino, who starred in the team’s 95-91 win over Hope Christian High School in the opener last Saturday, added 14 markers.

But the day belonged to the Staglets, who stunned the Baby Tamaraws, 66-58, to remain the only unbeaten squad in Group A.

Alfren Gayosa fired 16 points while Jon Macasaet and Onyok Velasco, Jr. combined for 16 markers for the Recoletos-based squad.

In other games, Xavier School became the first team from Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association (MMTLBA) to barge into the win column, beating Ateneo, 87-80, while University of Santo Tomas nipped Letran, 69-68.

With their wins, San Beda, UST and San Sebastian moved a step closer from earning berths in the quarterfinals in the event sponsored by Wrangler, Welcoat House Paints, Ironcon Builders, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Dickies Underwear, MEC Networks, Blackwater Sports and Hapee Toothpaste.

FEU star Jerie Pingoy was held to just eight points after unloading a 22-point output in their opening day win over Chiang Kai Shek College last Saturday.

Meantime, the FEU-CKSC game will be aired on Basketball TV (Channel 34) on Wednesday at 11 p.m. through the sponsorship of Davies Paints and Bon Chon Chicken.

The top four teams after the elims of the 10-team tournament will advance to the quarters.