Hope Christian, SSC dispute title

MANILA, Philippines - The title as country’s best high school team will finally be conferred today when Hope Christian High School and San Sebastian College clash in a one-game face-off in the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) at The Arena in San Juan City.

Both Hope Christians and the SSC Staglets finished runners-up in their respective leagues this year, but they will have the chance to win the ultimate prize as perhaps the finest school when they collide at 2:30 p.m.

“It’s going to be an interesting showdown, each team wants to prove something,” said Eduard Tio of Wrangler, member of the Board of Directors.

Hope Christian was runner-up to Chiang Kai Shek College in the Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association (MMTLBA) while San Sebastian lost to arch-rival San Beda in the NCAA Finals last October.

It’s going to be a sweet redemption for the Staglets if they beat the Bernard Yang-managed Hope Christian in the tournament sponsored by Welcoat House Paints, Ironcon Builders, MEC Networks, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Wrangler, Hapee Toothpaste, Dickies Underwear and Blackwater Sports.

In advancing to the finals, the Staglets beat UAAP champion Far Eastern University in the elims before exacting a 75-71 win over the San Beda Red Cubs in the semis last Friday.

Hope Christians, on the other hand, beat multi-titled Xavier School in the quarters before downing Letran in the semis, 67-60, also last Friday.

The finals will be aired on Basketball TV through the sponsorship of Davies Paints and BonChon Chicken.