FEU, NU, SBC favored in PSSBC

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern University-Diliman and reigning UAAP champion National University and NCAA titleholder San Beda College have been installed early favorites in the first Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championships (PSSBC) unfolding Oct. 27 at The Arena in San Juan.

The Baby Tams boast of two of the deadliest shooters in the ranks today – reigning MVP Jerie Pingoy and JJ Domingo – who are both expected to showcase their talent and skills in the inaugural staging of the event put up by Dickies Underwear, MEC Networks, Ironcon Builders, Blackwater Sports, Hapee Toothpaste, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Welcoat House Paints and Wrangler.

A prized find from the south, Pingoy averages close to 20 points a game while Domingo norms 15 points for the Baby Tams, who also have the likes of Joshua Aguilon, Roger Domingo, Richard Escoto and Korean Woo You in the roster.

Banking on the support of NU officials, the Bullpups are also expected to figure well in the tournament among the leading teams from the country’s top three junior leagues.

“This is the final stop of the country’s top junior players before playing in the collegiate league,” said Edster Sy, one of the members of the management committee. “This will also serve as a window for collegiate scouts.”

The Red Cubs, who are seeking their fourth straight championship in the NCAA, are out to prove their worth on a team built around former National youth mainstays Arvin Tolentino, Rev Diputado, Andrei Caracut, Radge Tongco, Javee Mocon and Alejandro Inigo.

The Red Cubs are currently in a tight race with San Sebastian for the lead in the NCAA juniors division. Both have identical 15-1 records.