Ironcon Builders Cup draws elite field

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) Ironcon Builders Cup holds its third edition on Nov. 8 with the best high school teams from the country’s premier leagues participating at Chiang Kai Shek College gym in Padre Algue, Manila.

Dubbed as “Battle of Champions,” the tournament is exclusively for the top four teams of UAAP, NCAA and Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball League, according to organizer Edster Sy.

“We hope to discover the next member of Gilas from this tournament,” said outgoing PSSBC chairman Cecilio Pedro. “This is our own way of helping the most popular sport in the country.”

Reigning champion National University and Ateneo will lead the UAAP charge while Mapua and San Beda – this year’s finalists – will banner NCAA’s roster in the tournament sponsored by eight Filipino-Chinese sportsmen.

Multi-titled Chiang Kai Shek College and inaugural champion Hope Christian High School will again carry the colors for Tiong Lian.

“The PSSBC is actually an avenue for our high school players to show the kind of stuff they have, and hopefully will earn them scholarship grants as they pursue a college degree,” said Sy during a recent coaches meeting.