Letran gains quarterfinals; CKSC scores

MANILA, Philippines - Letran trounced National U, 81-65, to clinch the eight and last quarterfinal berth while Chiang Kai Shek College outlasted Xavier School, 68-57, in the first Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym in Manila last Sunday.

Rey Nambatac, one of the most-sought after college prospects, put on another superb all-around performance as the Squires snapped a three-game skid to beat the Bulldogs and advance to the knockout stage set Sunday.

It was a disappointing loss for the fancied Bullpups, who failed to stop the hot-shooting Nambatac in their Group B showdown.

In a duel of Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association rivals, the Blue Dragons proved steadier than the Golden Stallions to notch their third straight win after an opening game setback to top Group A.

San Sebastian and Xavier wound up with 2-2 cards. FEU also finished with a 2-2 slate but had an inferior quotient.

Meantime, ousted Ateneo ended its campaign with a 65-62 win over the Staglets for its first win in four games in the 10-team tournament.

In other game, Hope Christian High School wound up second in Group B by crushing University of Santo Tomas in the tournament sponsored by Dickies Underwear, MEC Networks, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Blackwater Sports, Wrangler, Welcoat House Paints, Ironcon Builders and Hapee Toothpaste.

San Beda College, the reigning and 20-time NCAA champion, swept the Group B elims the other day and will face No. 4 Far Eastern University in the quarters.

In other pairings, Chiang Kai Shek College takes on  Letran, Hope Christian battles Xavier and SSC takes on UST. Meantime, the one-game finals will be aired on Basketball TV through the sponsorship of BonChon Chicken and Davies Paints.