Eaglets, Staglets eye bragging rights

MANILA, Philippines - UAAP junior champion Ateneo and NCAA titlist San Sebastian clash today for bragging rights in the first game of the Powerade-Team Pilipinas and Motolite Australian Hoopdreamz Goodwill Games at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eaglets, who swept the Far Eastern Baby Tamaraws in their best-of-three finals series in the 71st season of the UAAP, will try to outclass their NCAA counterparts in an action-packed battle beginning at 5 p.m.

However, the Katipunan-based squad, handled by head coach Jamike Jarin, may miss the services of Juan Miguel Tiongson, Kevin Gamboa, Ivan Enriquez and finals MVP Jayvee Dumbrique, members the champion team in 2008, who have since graduated.

But the Staglets are no pushovers since they are coming off an even better record, besting the Letran Squires in two games of the Juniors basketball finals match on top of a sweep of 14 games in the eliminations of the NCAA Season 84.

However, the Staglets, mentored by Ramon Valenzuela, will be without their main man Arvie Bringas, who has also graduated.

The country’s top junior teams will square off before the RP team and Australian Great White Sharks contest set at 7:30 p.m.     – Celest Flores/Contributor