Tams arrange rematch vs Warriors; Archers in

Far Eastern University imposed its will on Mapua Tech as the UAAP titlist went to work in the second half, carving out an emphatic 88-65 victory in their first round duel in the 2003 UAAP-NCAA Bantay Bata 163 Showdown at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

Shifting their game into higher gear in the final half, the Tamaraws broke loose from a 36-all halftime count, leading by as many as 29 points before completing the rout that spoke well of their capability to win another crown after their conquest of the Ateneo Blue Eagles for the UAAP crown.

But the easy sailing against the Cardinals could turn out to be the lull before the storm for the Tamaraws who face the University of the East Warriors in a rematch of their UAAP semifinal showdown in the crossover knockout semis of this benefit series today at 4 p.m. in the same venue.

"This is an entirely different story. Kagaya ng sabi ni coach Boyzie (Zamar), they want to defend their title here very badly," said coach Koy Banal whose Tamaraws eased out the Warriors in only one game in the UAAP Final Four.

UAAP teams swept the NCAA squads in the day as La Salle disposed of San Sebastian, 75-63, to advance to the semis against Letran.

The Archers also outclassed their NCAA rivals despite missing key players in Marc Cardona, Manny Ramos and Carlo Sharma.

Meanwhile, UAAP MVPs Arwind Santos of FEU, Minerva Narciza of Adamson and Mark Intal of Ateneo will be honored today during the SCOOP session. The UAAP Press Corps will also give recognition to Ateneo’s Larry Fonacier, La Salle-Zobel’s Lope Juban III , UP’s Camille Dowling and other honorees.