PSSBC kicks off at Chiang Kai Shek

Games today (Chiang Kai Shek College Gym)

8 a.m. – Opening Ceremony

9 a.m. – Chiang Kai Shek College vs San Sebastian

10:30 a.m. – Ateneo vs St. Stephen’s High School

12 noon – Hope Christian High School

                 vs Jose Rizal University

1:30 p.m. – National University vs Xavier School

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Hope Christian High School and UAAP titlist National University open their respective bids against separate rivals as the second Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) kicks off today at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym.

The HCHS cagers take on the Jose Rizal U Light Bombers in a 12 noon showdown while the Bullpups square off with the Xavier University side in the 1:30 p.m. main game of a four-game bill.

Chiang Kai Shek College and San Sebastian face off at 9 a.m. after the 8 a.m. opening rites while Ateneo and St. Stephen’s High School collide at 10:30 a.m.

Also fancied to crowd the favorites for the crown is NCAA perennial champion San Beda.

The Bullpups regained the UAAP crown last September after a 16-game sweep while the Red Cubs are coming off a five-peat feat in the NCAA via a 20-game sweep.

But Hope Christian, which beat San Sebastian to bag the inaugural title last year, is out to prove its worth as it primed up for its title-retention drive with victories in the Freego-FCBL Cup and the Fr. Martin’s Cup early this year.

“Everybody is out to beat and unseat us, but we’ll be ready for them,” said team manager Bernard Yang, who represented coach Stevenson Tiu during the coaches’ meeting. “We know how other teams have beefed up their respective rosters so we expect all the games to be more intense.”

Also aching to spoil Hope Christian’s back-to-back title bid in the 11-team tournament presented by Wrangler, Welcoat Paints, Dickies Underwear, MEC Computer, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Hapee Toothpaste, Ever Bilena and Ironcon Builders are Ateneo and Chiang Kai Shek College.

“Hope Christian remains formidable but other teams like NU, San Beda and Ateneo are also strong. So it’s going to be a close call,” said league chairman Dioceldo Sy of Ever Bilena during the signing of TV contract with GMA Thursday at Taoyan Restaurant in Malate, Manila. “But you can’t take teams from Tiong Lian like Xavier School and Chiang Kai Shek for granted. Both are multi-titled.”

“Anybody can beat anybody this time,” said Welcoat’s Terry Que.

Bannered by Thirdy Ravena, the Ateneo Eaglets battle the St. Stephen’s High School cagers at 10:30 a.m. while San Sebastian tackles Chiang Kai Shek College at 9 a.m.

Aside from the Red Cubs, also drawing byes in the opening day of the weekend-only tournament are Mapua and La Salle-Zobel.

Former Philippine Sports commissioner and PBA star Chito Loyzaga leads an array of sports personalities expected to grace the opening ceremony.

Commissioner Ato Badolato said the 11 teams will be divided into two groups with the top four teams after the single-round elims advancing to the crossover quarterfinals. The winners meet in the cross-over semis with the victors playing in a one-game face-off for the title and the top prize of P50,000.