Philippine Sports News and Updates

MANILA, Philippines – The top two teams in the UAAP will face two of NCAA’s best teams when the semifinal round of the 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championship national basketball tournament Saturday at The Arena in San Juan City.

UAAP finalists Ateneo and La Salle take on NCAA heavyweights San Beda and Letran in a pair of matches expected to create fireworks at both ends.

Ateneo faces Letran in the 2 p.m. opener of the knock-out semifinal phase of the tournament while La Salle battles San Beda at 4 p.m.

The four teams have won a combined 10 titles since the 2000 season in their respective leagues with Ateneo and San Beda winning the latest UAAP and NCAA seasons.

Ateneo booked a semis seat after a 67-53 win over Mapua while La Salle nipped University of the East, 75-72, with both games taking place on November 30 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

San Beda, meanwhile, survived the absence of Borgie Hermida and ace center Sam Ekwe in coasting to an 87-72 triumph over two-time NCRAA champion Arellano Chiefs on Wednesday.

Bam Gamalinda and Garvo Lanete stepped up for the Red Lions in Hermida and Ekwe’s absence in the final minutes of the match. Hermida got injured in the third quarter while Ekwe fouled out in the fourth period.

Letran joined the three in the semifinals after squeezing out a 94-93 decision against Far Eastern University.

– GMANews.TV