San Beda, SSC forge title clash in PSSBC

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian College finally got its revenge while San Beda College downed Mapua in a rugged encounter to seal an all-NCAA title showdown in the second Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym last Wednesday.

Drawing big games from Ryan Costelo, Lorenzo Navarro and Jasper Magno, the Staglets rallied from four points down in the last 24 seconds of regulation then outlasted last year’s tormentor Hope Christian High School in overtime for a 110-107 win.

Costelo exploded for 38 points on 10-of-11 shooting, including 6-of-7 from beyond the arc to lead San Sebastian to the come-from-behind victory in the tournament sponsored by Ever Bilena, Hapee Toothpaste, MEC Computer, Wrangler, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Ironcon Builders, Welcoat Paints, Dickies UnderwearDavies Paint and Spray & Seal Tire Sealant.

With Arvin Tolentino, Javee Mocon and John Ryan Gumtang at the helm, the Red Cubs produced spurts after spurts in the second half to score an 83-63 rout of the Red Robins.

“With their NCAA rivalry, we expect another tense duel from both teams. It’s going to be a close call,” said league vice chairman Jimi Lim of Ironcon Builders. “Both teams have star players, so it’s going to be worth your time watching the final game.”

San Beda and San Sebastian dispute the title tomorrow at the San Beda gym.

A vicious 22-4 attack bridging the third and fourth quarters set the tone for San Beda’s rout in a game marred by a near fistfight between Tolentino and Mapua’s Raymund Pascua.