PSSBC Cup unfolds; MVP invited to rites

Games today (CKSC gym, Tondo)

10 a.m. – FEU vs SSHS

12 noon – Opening Ceremonies

1 p.m. – NU vs CKSC

2:30 p.m. – UP vs SBC

4 p.m. – Xavier vs UE

MANILA, Philippines - The top high school teams from the country’s premier leagues slug it out beginning today when the third Philippine Secondary School Basketball Championship (PSSBC) Ironcon Builders Cup unwraps at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym in Tondo, Manila.

Reigning UAAP titlist National University faces off with Tiong Lian’s Chiang Kai Shek College in the featured match of the heavy four-game bill at 1 p.m. where the winner is likely to clinch one of the final berths following the last-minute withdrawal of powerhouse Ateneo.

San Beda College, which beat Mapua to claim its 21st juniors crown recently, takes on University of the Philippines at 2:30 p.m.

The UP Junior Maroons took the place of the Eaglets, who opted to train for the coming UAAP season.

Without Ateneo, a three-way battle for the final two berths looms among San Beda, NU and Chiang Kai Shek College in the tournament to be aired over Aksyon TV.

Invited as special guests in the opening rites which start at 12 noon are Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan, SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas, SBP executive director Sonny Barrios and PBA officials, led by chairman Pato Gregorio of Talk ’N Text. School officials are also invited to the event.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes and Jimmy Alapag will also be there to receive the P1 million bonus from the three PSSBC governors – Hapee Toothpaste’s Dr. Cecilio Pedro, Blackwater-Ever Bilena’s Dioceldo Sy and Freego’s Eduard Tio – for their inspiring performance in the FIBA World Cup in Spain recently.

“With the expected presence of PBA and SBP officials, we hope our players will be further motivated to give their all,” said PSSBC chairman Jimi Lim. “We hope the future members of Gilas will come from this batch.”

Clashing in the opening game at 10 a.m. are Far Eastern University and Tiong Lian‘s St. Stephen’s HS while Xavier School collides with University of the East at 4 p.m.

San Sebastian, which took the spot vacated by Letran, starts its title-retention bid against NU tomorrow in the event backed by Rain or Shine, Freego, Hapee Toothpaste, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Dickies Underwear, Blackwater-Ever Bilena and MEC Computers.

Other teams seeing action are inaugural champion Hope Christian High School, Jose Rizal University and Mapua.