James Yap graces PSSBC opener

MANILA, Philippines — Two-time PBA MVP James Yap will be the special guest when the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) “Rain or Shine Cup” officially launches its seventh edition Sunday at the SGS gym in Quezon City.

The ROS forward is expected to provide inspiration to the country’s young dribblers who will compete in the annual “Battle of Champions” with reigning NCAA titlist Mapua, defending champion San Beda and National U and Far Eastern looming as the teams to beat.

“It’s just fitting that we will have James (Yap) as our special guest. We are certain he can motivate our country’s young ballers to train and play as hard as they can,” said league chairman Terry Que, co-owner of the ROS team in the PBA.

Vice chairman Eduard Tio of Freego said a cash prize of P50,000 is at stake for the winning school.

Dr. Cecilio Pedro of Hapee Toothpaste, Rudy Yu of Dickies Underwear, Dioceldo Sy of Blackwater Sports, Jimi Lim of IronCon Builders, Jimmy dela Cruz of Che’Lu Bar and Grill and Leoncio Chua of MEC Networks are among the sponsors.

While the opening ceremony is set on Sunday, games of the event which has also the support of Masumax Food Supplement, Cherrylume, SUMO GI Sheets and Choi Garden begin on tomorrow.

A heavy four-game schedule is on tap on opening day with the Red Cubs kicking off their bid for a third title against the University of Cebu Webmasters at 10:45 a.m. just right after the 9 a.m. tussle between Jose Rizal University and newcomer University of Luzon-Dagupan.

The Red Robins, on the other hand, test the mettle of Chiang Kai Shek College Dragons at 2:15 p.m. while Hope Christian takes on La Salle Greenhills at 12:30 p.m.

Group A is comprised of NU, JRU and UL while SBU, FEU and UC are in Group B; UST, La Salle Greenhills and Hope Christian High School are clustered in Group C as Mapua, Xavier and Chang Kai Shek are in Group D.