PSSBC Red Cubs kick off defense of title in big way

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 elims as they held the Cebuano dribblers to just 26 points while exploding for 66 points behind 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 9 points, respectively.

The Blue Dragons of Tondo also leaned on a torrid start to stun the reigning NCAA champions Mapua Red Cubs, 84-75, in Group D action of the 12-team tournament.

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

Dan Arches sizzled for 25 points but got little support from his Red Robins teammates as the Blue Dragons held NCAA Finals MVP Paolo Hernandez to just seven points.

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 High School, which beat CKSC in the finals of the FilipinoChinese Amateur Athletic Federation, also fell by the wayside, absorbing a stinging 87-75 loss to NCAA runnerup La Salle Greenhills.

Inand Fornilos led the Greenies with 20 points and 9 boards and was also responsible for making life miserable for Hope Christian veteran Harvey Pagsanjan.

Four more teams debut on Sunday with National University going up against UL, Far Eastern University taking on UC, Xavier School colliding with Mapua and University of Santo Tomas facing Hope Christian.