DANIEL R. Aguinaldo National High School (Dranhs) and Crossing Bayabas National High School (CBNHS) eked out debut wins in the opener of the 2019 Liga Pinay Inter-High School Girls Basketball League and Davao Youth Basketball League (DYBL) 2019 at the Gaisano Grand Citimall SkyGym over the weekend.

Gaisano Grand Cup junior girls division champion Dranhs lived up to its billing by stunning Davraa Meet 2019 champion Assumption College of Davao (ACD), 48-34, behind Aleah Clapano’s 19 baskets. Jazzel Costes added 11 points.

Dranhs coach Ronnie Berato, in a phone interview yesterday, said, “We did not expect to win, knowing that ACD was the representative of Region 11 in the Palarong Pambansa 2019.”

He cited his girls for beating a strong team like ACD, addding, “We won because Dranhs players were motivated to play against ACD. They were able to execute what we planned to do.”

Dranhs, according to him, will play Gaisano Grand Cup finals rival Ateneo de Davao University on Sunday. The latter, which they beat for the GG Cup crown, subdued Dranhs during the elimination round.

Berato, however, said they have a 50-50 chance against Ateneo, saying that they just got lucky in beating them in the GG Cup championship.

Meanwhile, Crossing Bayabas National High School (CBNHS) crushed Jesus Soriano National High School (JSNHS), 62-27, as Nathan Cabonita sank nine points to lead in scoring.

The cagefest, held in partnership with Diamond Knights, is organized by Red Sports Events.