UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) and University of the East (UE) are in a tight two-way battle for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 71 juniors general championship at the end of the first semester.

The Tiger Cubs lead with 89 points, just one point ahead of the Pages (88).

UST emerged champion in three events—girls’ swimming, table tennis and girls’ volleyball—and was second in boys’ swimming and taekwondo. The Tiger Cubs were third in boys’ volleyball.

UE swept taekwondo and boys’ volleyball and placed second in chess, girls’ swimming, table tennis and girls’ volleyball.

Ateneo was in the third spot with 72 points after winning boys’ basketball and boys’ swimming. The Blue Eaglets were second in boys’ volleyball and were third in chess, table tennis and taekwondo.

De La Salle-Zobel was fourth with 54 points on third-place finishes in basketball, boys’ swimming and girls’ volleyball.

University of the Philippines Integrated School was in fifth spot with 43 points, with a third-place finish in girls’ swimming as its highest achievement in the first semester.

Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Educational Foundation was sixth with 36 points, highlighted only by its runner-up finish in boys’ basketball.

Adamson, the chess champion, was seventh with 31 points, while National University was eighth with 16 points. --Reuben Terrado 

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ATENEO STARS CHANGING THEIR MINDS? 

Rabeh Al-Hussaini of Ateneo might not play for Hapee Toothpaste in the coming Philippine Basketball League (PBL) season.

Al-Hussaini, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 71 Most Valuable Player (MVP), is said to be bent on concentrating on his thesis in the coming semester instead of playing in the PBL.

Another standout, Chris Tiu, is also reportedly not suiting up for Hapee to concentrate on his studies and his television career.

Hapee team manager Bernard Yang said Ateneo basketball officials have yet to announce who among the Blue Eagles they will release to Hapee.

“We are still waiting word on who will play for us,” said Yang.

Hapee wants Al-Hussaini, Tiu, Finals MVP Nonoy Baclao and Eric Salamat to form the core of its team.

The BusinessMirror, however, learned that Salamat along with point guard Jai Reyes are assured of donning Hapee jerseys in the coming PBL tournament. --Reuben Terrado

PBL revives women’s basketball league

THE Women’s Philippine Basketball League (WPBL) returns after a long hiatus, but this time it would take a more serious aim—honing players who would compose a team that would shoot for the gold medal in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Realtors, Kings collide

IT will be a battle of last season’s champion teams as All-Filipino titlist Sta. Lucia Realty takes on Fiesta Conference winner Barangay Ginebra in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.

Back in familiar territory, Castañeda, Acepcion seek beach-volleyball crown

DANIELLE Michiko Castañeda and Leah Acepcion return to Puerto Princesa City to take part in the 2008 Petron Ladies Beach Volleyball Battle of Champions on Friday at the city’s Baywalk sand courts.

Se, Santos fined and suspended; Arboleda fined

AS expected, Air21 Express Homer Se, Arwind Santos and Wynne Arboleda were each assessed corresponding punishments for their unwarranted actions during their game against Rain or Shine on Sunday.

UST leads juniors crown race

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) and University of the East (UE) are in a tight two-way battle for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 71 juniors general championship at the end of the first semester.

Ask Coach E: A boost to basketball players everywhere

ALTHOUGH deep in the preparations for the upcoming National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League, this corner won’t let the opportunity pass without thanking those who backed the recent Junior Super League (JSL).