MANILA, Philippines - Reigning titlist Hope Christian High School and NCAA champion San Beda College posted similar thrilling wins to advance to the quarterfinals of the second Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) Saturday at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym in Manila.
Despite an awful 21-of-96 shooting from the field, the defending champions of coach Stevenson Tiu still managed to pull off a 58-57 win over Ateneo – thanks to the timely baskets of Jollo Go as Hope Christian rolled to its third straight win in as many games in Group B elims.
The Red Cubs, on the other hand, held Jose Rizal University scoreless in the extra five minutes to hack out an 88-73 decision and stay abreast with the defending champions in the tournament sponsored by Hapee Toothpaste, Welcoat Paints, Dickies Underwear, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Wrangler, MEC Computer, Ironcon Builders, Ever Bilena, Davies Paint and Spray & Seal Tire Sealant.
Go knocked down his second and last triple on his 21st attempt which turned out to be the game-changing basket for Hope Christian as Ateneo failed in two tries to turn the game around.
It was a painful defeat for the Eaglets who appeared to have sewn up the game after leading 57-51 with barely 69 ticks left, but they disintegrated in the face of Hope Christian’s smoldering comeback.