NCAA MVP, La Salle star banner PSSBC cast

MANILA, Philippines - Mapua’s Mike Enriquez, San Beda’s Sam Abuhijle and La Salle’s Aljun Melecio will take center stage when the fourth Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) Jumbo Linoleum Plastic Cup unfolds on Dec. 12 at the San Beda College gym.

Enriquez emerged as the NCAA MVP after leading the Red Robins to the semifinals despite the graduation of previous star players like Justine Serrano and Daniel Aguirre. He won the coveted individual award with norms of 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists.

“With him around, I’m sure Mapua will pull off some surprises,” said Jumbo Plastic Linoleum owner and PSSBC chairman Jimmy dela Cruz.

“We have a lot to offer even without the star players of National University and reigning UAAP champion Ateneo,” added MEC Networks’ Leoncio Chua. “So this year is going to be another exciting tournament with lots of promising players.”

Also in the elite list is Melecio, who is averaging 29 points in the ongoing UAAP tournament.

Meantime, the coaches meeting will be held today at 10 a.m. at the San Beda Athletics Office.

Other players to watch are Arellano’s Guilmer dela Torre, Adamson’s Denzel Sabroso, Far Eastern University’s Kenji Roman and University of Santo Tomas’ Clark Ballada.

Even Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation (FCAAF) has a bevy of rising stars, including Jonas Tibayan, Gershom Montes and Joshua Ramirez of Chiang Kai Shek, Tyler Tio and Kyle Ong, and HarveyPagsanjan of Hope Christian High School.

Both Pagsanjan and Tibayan were members of the Phl Under-16 team that finished third in the recent Asian FIBA Championship.

Other sponsors: Hapee Toothpaste, Rain or Shine, Ironcon Builders, MEC Networks, Freego, Blackwater Sports, Dickies Underwear.