CKSC, SBU, NU, UST advance in PSSBC

MANILA, Philippines — Chiang Kai Shek College, San Beda U and National U beat their rivals in contrasting fashions and topped their respective group elims in the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship ‘Rain or Shine Cup’ Monday at the SGS gym in Quezon City.

The Chiang Kai Shek Blue Dragons overpowered long-time rivals Xavier School Golden Stallions, 84-49, to top Group D while the San Beda Red Cubs outlasted the FEU Baby Tamaraws, 74-66, in Group B.

The NU Bullpups, playing minus the 6-foot-7 Carl Tamayo for the second straight day, outsteadied Jose Rizal U Light Bombers, 73-63, to emerge Group A topnotcher.

Completing the quarterfinal cast in the event presented by Rain or Shine and backed by Poly Gloss, Freego, Dickies Underwear, Hapee Toothpaste,  IronCon Builders, MEC Networks, Blackwater Sports, and Che’Lu Bar and Grill was University of Santo Tomas.

Drawing 30 points from point-guard Mark Nonoy, the Tiger Cubs demolished the Hope Christian HS dribblers, 77-63, in the event also backed by Molten, Masumax  Food Supplement, Cherrylume, SUMO GI Sheets and Choi Garden.

Playing for the first time since their storied rivalry in the Tiong Lian league, the Blue Dragons used their height and heft advantage to outplay the Golden Stallions, 24-6, in the second quarter to pull away for good.

John Michael Urmeneta and Jan Carl Luciano starred for the Blue Dragons as they finished with 15 and 12 points, respectively,

Miguel Tan, who finished with 23 points and 20 boards in the team’s 82-49 win over Mapua University, was held to one free throw – no thanks to CKSC’s pressure defense.