PHILIPPINE Christian University and University of Perpetual Help Dalta System fashioned out constrasting victories at the start of 2nd Philippine University Basketball League (PUBL) at TUP gym in Manila.

NPCU downed Mapua University, 70-57, while UPHDS defeated Technological University of the Philippines, 68-63, to take the headstart in this six-team tournament organized by the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) in cooperation with the Asia Pacific University Sports Union (APUSU) and Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP).

FESSAP president Edwin Fabro made the ceremonial toss along with TUP president Engr. Reynaldo P. Ramos.

Ramos also made the opening remarks

Handled by former PBA standout Biboy Simon, the Dolphins leaned on the 1-2 punch of Lionel Failon and John Lloyd Balvarin in beating the Cardinals.

Failon finished with 20 points while Balvarin added 13 points.

Resty Fornis and Clint Escamis combined for 29 points for Mapua ,which was handled by assistant coaches Nani Epondulan and Lito Aguilar.

The Altas of coach Mike Saguiguit and assistant coach Stephen Mopera rode on Cyrus Nitura, Jericho Nunez Gelo Gelsano and Joey Barcuna to roll back the Grayhawks.

Nitura fired 21 points, followed by Nunez and Gelsano with 14 points apiece and Barcuna with 11 points for the Las Piñas-based school.

Carl Bringas and David Magbanua lead TUP with 24 and 16 points, respectively.

Also present during the short but colorful opening ceremony are TUP sports director Allan Soria, AIMS sports director Norman Pangilinan, Mapua sports director Melchor Divina and PCU athletic director Martha Beata Ijiran.

In the first game, Bataan Peninsula State University crushed Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, 76-63.

..John Carlos Valerio, Janzel Red Gatdula and Joemar Tolentino scored in double figures for the Stallions of coach Randy Rodriguez and sports director Romeo Nisay.

Valerio topscored with 19 points followed by Gatdula with 16 and Tolentino added 10 points.

Nestor Macatuno is the tournament commissioner while Romulo Raytos is the head of the technical committee. AA