NEWSFLASH

STAGS, EAGLES EYE MOTHER OF ALL COLLEGIATE TITLES

MANILA, November 7, 2002 (STAR) Reigning NCAA titlist San Sebastian and UAAP champion Ateneo loom as the heavy favorites when the Champions League 2002, the ultimate clash among the country’s collegiate basketball champions, reels off Monday at the Makati Coliseum.

The Stags and the Eagles, however, will only get to show off their strength on Tuesday, the second playing day of the tournament, with the former facing Philippine School of Business Administration at 2 p.m. and the latter taking on West Negros University at 4 p.m.

Opening games on Sunday pit La Salle against University of Baguio and University of Santo Tomas against University of Manila at the Makati Coliseum.

On Nov. 13, Saint Francis of Assisi battles University of Mindanao at 2 p.m., while College of St. Benilde meets Las Piñas College.

And on Nov. 17, University of Visayas, coached by former PBA star Elmer Cabahug, tests Jose Rizal University at 1 p.m., while University of the East meets University of San Jose-Recoletos.

The quarterfinals of the tournament sponsored by Petron, San Miguel Corporation, Hapee, Adidas and PLDT will be on Nov. 19-20 and the semifinals on Nov. 24. The best-of-three championship series begins Nov. 26. A Game 3, if necessary, will be played Dec. 1.

Commissioner Ramon Fernandez and league chairman Joe Lipa met with the athletic directors and coaches of the participating teams yesterday and vowed to join hands in making this tournament, sanctioned by the Basketball Association of the Philippines, a big success.

"I believe this tournament should really be the culminating event of all the collegiate tournaments in the country," said Fernandez, the PBA’s first four-time most valuable player.