Chiang Kai Shek College, San Beda University and National University beat their rivals in contrasting fashions and topped their respective group elims in the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship ‘Rain or Shine Cup’ on Monday at the SGS gym in Quezon City.
The Chiang Kai Shek Blue Dragons were merciless as they overpowered long-time rivals Xavier School Golden Stallions, 84-49, to top Group D elims, while the San Beda Red Cubs outlasted the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws, 74-66, in their encounter for Group B top seed.
Not to be outdone, the NU Bullpups, playing minus the 6’7” Carl Tamayo for the second straight day, outsteadied Jose Rizal University 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 Toothepaste, 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 Molten, by Masumax Food Supplement, Cherrylume, SUMO GI Sheets, Molten 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’s82-49 win over Mapua University, was held to one free throw—no thanks to CKSC’s pressure defense.
Batang Gilas veteran Gerry Abadiano played for a little over 13 minutes only but finished with a team-high 15 points while six other teammates added five points or more in another show of balanced attack.
