Eaglets open campaign against Bullpups

High school powerhouse Ateneo de Manila opens its title campaign today when it takes on host National University in the 65th UAAP junior basketball tournament at the University of Santo Tomas Gym.

Back-to-back titlists in 1999 and 2000, the Blue Eaglets failed to add another win to its long list of triumphs after they lost in three games to the UST Cubs in last year’s finals.

But Ateneo, coached by Sandy Arespachochaga and Jamike Jarin, remains a force to reckon with this year despite losing key players headed by speedy pointguard Mark Anthony Escalona, who is now with the Eagles, to graduation.

The 65th UAAP cage season was ushered in last Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum with University of the Philippines winning over University of the East, 59-54, and Ateneo de Manila besting host NU, 82-77.

Sunday’s game resulted to victories by defending champion De La Salle over Far Eastern University, 85-71, and UST over Adamson, 74-61.

In the junior class, UST’s title-retention bid got derailed Sunday when it lsot to Adamson, 74-69.