MANILA, Philippines - San Beda College opened its title-retention drive with an emphatic 88-74 romp over former champion Hope Christian High School even as long-time rivals Chiang Kai Shek College and Xavier School subdued their respective rivals in the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup at the San Beda gym in Mendiola over the weekend.
It took almost three quarters for the reigning champions to find their offensive rhythm but it was so huge that it unsettled the Hope cagers midway in the payoff period on the way to scoring a convincing win.
Prince Etrata and Germy Mahinay combined for 12 points midway in the fourth quarter to give the Red Cubs the 14-point victory in an inspiring start in the tournament dubbed “Battle of Champions”.
Exploiting the absence of NCAA MVP Mike Enriquez, the CKSC Blue Dragons also posted an easy 77-56 win over the Mapua Red Robins while the Xavier Stallions leaned on a 33-point performance from Tyler Tio to nip the NCAA runners-up Arellano Braves, 84-81.
Lyceum likewise got off to a good start by beating Manila Patriotic School, 77-68, in the tournament also sponsored by Dickies Underwear, Freego, Ironcon Builders, MEC Networks, Hapee Toothpaste, Blackwater Sports and Rain or Shine with Molten as official ball.
Etrata topscored for San Beda with 14 points while four others added nine points or more to underscore the team’s balanced offensive sock.
Mahinay and NCAA Finals MVP winner Evan Nelle chipped in 12 and 11 markers, respectively.