Red Cubs, Light Bombers rout foes in PSSBC opener; JRU, DLS-G win

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda launched its title retention bid in grand fashion, crushing University of Cebu, 103-63, while former champion Chiang Kai Shek College fired a strong warning at the start of the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship ‘Rain or Shine Cup’ Saturday at the SGS gym in Quezon City.

It took only two quarters for the Red Cubs to disarm the Baby Webmasters in Group B as they held the Cebuano dribblers to just 26 points while exploding for 66 points – thanks to the hot-shooting duo of Winston Ynot and Ryyan Amsali who combined for 39 points and 16 boards.

James Incio and Ice Blanco – son of former PBA hotshot Dondon Hontiveros – led the Baby Webmasters with 20 and nine points, respectively.

The Blue Dragons of Tondo also leaned on a blazing start to stun the reigning NCAA champions Mapua Red Cubs, 84-75, in Group D action of the 12-team tournament bankrolled by Rain or Shine, Freego, Dickies Underwear, Hapee Toothepaste,  IronCon Builders, MEC Networks, Blackwater Sports and Che’Lu Bar and Grill.

Batang Gilas member Rafael Go came off the bench to lead the Blue Dragons with 14 points and 12 boards.

League chairman Terry Que and vice chair Eduard Tio expressed delight over the turnout as collegiate coaches were also part of a big crowd obviously looking for talents.

Also off to a rousing start was Jose Rizal University which bombed University of Luzon with 11 triples in coasting to a 101-68 victory in Group A.

Hope Christian HS, which  won the crown over CKSC in the Fil-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation, also bowed to NCAA runner-up La Salle Greenhills 75-87 in the event also backed by Molten and Masumax Food.