By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer

GAMES THURSDAY (Araneta Coliseum)
3 p.m. — Univ. of the East vs La Salle
(Game 1, best-of-three Finals)

MANILA, Philippines–It was the biggest winning margin in the rivalry that more than lived up to its hype this season. And the win also turned out to be the biggest of them all.

De La Salle University ended its rare five-game saga with arch rival Ateneo de Manila University on top as the Green Archers turned back the Blue Eagles, 65-60, Sunday to clinch the last UAAP Finals berth in front of a 23,000-strong sellout crowd at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

“This is the only time that two is greater than three,” said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren. “They beat us three times (this season), but we beat them when it counted the most.”

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By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines–A DAY after the University of the Philippines gave coach Joe Lipa the pink slip, alumni groups were pushing for two of the temperamental coach’s former wards, Eric Altamirano and Ronnie Magsanoc, to take his place.

School officials said they will name the coach early to give him time to prepare for the next UAAP season, which coincides with UP’s centennial celebration, but have yet to begin their search for Lipa’s replacement.

“I recommended for [Lipa's early] termination because of the centennial year,” said Hercules Callanta, dean of the College of Human Kinetics, who wants the team to be competitive in the 2008 season. “The next coach will be hard pressed for a result. We want [the new coach] to have the luxury of time.”

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By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer

TWO big men are amazingly shaking off the underachiever tag that had hung over them for several seasons in the UAAP men’s basketball competition.

Long consigned to the background, Ford Arao of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and Joseph Linga-Lingao of the National University Bulldogs came out of their shells over the weekend and took charge in their team’s first-day victories.

“He really wants to make a big impact this season,” NU coach Manny Dandan said after his starting center powered the Bulldogs to a 73-70 overtime victory against Far Eastern University in Saturday’s opener.

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By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines–The University of the East Warriors got as much production from their bench as they did from their stars to put the University of Santo Tomas Tigers’ title defense off to a bad start via a 73-60 trashing Sunday in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

“I’m very happy that everybody played well, especially the five guys from the PBL (Philippine Basketball League),” said coach Dindo Pumaren, who cited the solid performances of Mark Borboran, who paced UE with 13 points, Marcy Arellano, Elmer Espiritu, Kelvin Gregorio and Jorel Cañizares.

James Martinez added 12 markers, including back-to-back triples that pushed the Warriors ahead, 65-54, with 2:52 remaining.

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WHO’S your pick for the University Athletics Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament? Why do you believe your team will be the champion this year?

In Saturday’s opening ballgames, comebacking La Salle massacred my alma mater, University of the Philippines, while National University shocked Far Eastern University in overtime.

Here’s an excerpt from Jasmine Payo’s story for the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

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