DEFENDING champion Holy Child College of Davao (HCCD) Red Eagles opened its junior boys division title-retention bid with a rousing 127-67 win over Erico Nograles National High School in the resumption of the Gaisano Grand Cup 2019 at the Gaisano Grand Sky Gym over the weekend.

HCCD head coach Nestor Sorrosa, in an interview with SunStar Davao Wednesday, January 16, said he rotated the players during the game.

“Para tanan makadula (For everybody to get to play),” he said.

The team leads the cast of bracket A that also includes Emar Human and Environmental College, Jose Maria College, Precious International School of Davao, St. Peter's College of Toril, Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School and F. Bangoy National High School.

Rabago said Dranhs and Emar are strong teams to contend with so they can't be complacent.

In other games, Lamb of God Sped Academy crushed University of the Immaculate Conception, 96-73, in bracket B; Davao Jones Academy thrashed Cabantian National High School, 106-73, in bracket C; Emar thrashed FBNHS, 117-59, in bracket A; and Bustamante National High School (BNHS) clobbered Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC), 89-71, in bracket C.

Games will resume on Saturday, January 19, in the cagefest sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.