UM, STI begin title clash

MANILA, Philippines - Take your pick: five-time champion University of Manila or perennial title contender STI Colleges?

The Hawks and the Olympians, who topped the elimination and semifinal rounds, will square off today in Game 1 of the best-of-three title showdown in the 10th NAASCU men’s basketball tournament at the Makati Coliseum.

Game time is 12 noon with the Hawks slightly favored to beat the Olympians and move closer to an unprecedented sixth title in 10 years.

The Hawks crushed Centro Escolar University, 89-61, while the Olympians demolished Informatics International College, 82-48, in a pair of lopsided semifinal matches to arrange the keenly-awaited title duel.

Handled by coach Jojo Castillo and assistant coach Jinno Mansala and manager Atty. Ernesto De los Santos, the Hawks will rely on the services of sophomore Jeff Alvin Viernes and rookie sensations Rhandelle Colina and Eugene Torres in their bid to reclaim the title they last won in 2005.

Viernes, a 5-9 find from Delfin Albano, Isabela, is again expected to provide the offensive muscle for the Sampaloc-based Hawks.

Backing him up will be Colina, the high-scoring 5-11 recruit from Davao City, Torres, Edwin Paterno, Kevin Rabalo and Jay Manuel.