UAAP juniors stars to shine in PSSBC

MANILA, Philippines - Aside from reigning UAAP MVP Jerie Pingoy of Far Eastern University, other notable players are expected to shine in the first Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championships (PSSBC) which unfolds Oct. 27 at The Arena in San Juan.

By averaging 19 points, 5.5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2.7 steals a game, Pingoy, who hails from Cebu, has helped power the Baby Tamaraws into the UAAP finals against defending champion National University. 

Also expected to bring their act in the tournament dubbed as the “champions league” of the juniors are San Beda’s Arvin Tolentino and Rev Diputado, members of the national U-18 squad in the FIBA Asia U-18, and Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena.

The event is sponsored by Wrangler, Dickies Underwear, MEC Networks and Ironcon Builders with support from Blackwater Sports, Hapee Toothpaste, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum and Welcoat House Paints.

Ravena, brother of Ateneo star Kiefer, is averaging 14 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

“They are some of the top players in the NCAA and UAAP,” said Diocedo Sy of Blackwater Sports. “We’re staging this tournament to help them.”

Tolentino is one of the leading performers in the NCAA as he normed 18.9 points and 9.4 rebounds while Diputado 11.2 points a game.

Others expected to play are Letran’s Rey Nambatac (16.8 pts), NU’s Ralph Atangan (15.8 pts), NU’s Hubert Cani (11.2 pts), UST’s Alvin Ungrua (17.7 pts) and San Sebastian’s Michael Calisas (14 pts).