San Beda, Ateneo Favored in 2011 PCCL

Ateneo and San Beda, two of the most successful programs in the history of collegiate basketball, are hoping to enhance their legacies when they go for the Philippine Collegiate Champions League crown.

Aside from winning 21 championships in the UAAP and NCAA, Ateneo has also ruled the PCCL the last four years, winning three titles in the process under coach Norman Black and players like Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Chris Tiu, Noy Baclao, Jai Reyes and Eric Salamat.

This year, the Greg Slaughter-led Blue Eagles attempt to achieve history as they aim to become the first three-peat winner in the PCCL while also going for a fourth title and establish themselves as the country's best collegiate ballclub.

But expect San Beda, its former arch-nemesis in the NCAA, to foil that bid.

No NCAA team has won the PCCL title since its inception in 2002 and the Red Lions are favored to break that drought.

However, the Red Lions are also out to end their struggles in the PCCL. Their best finish came in 2006 when they lost to University of the East in the finals. In 2009, they settled for third place while getting booted out in the quarterfinals despite being favorites last year.

San Beda, though, will have to put its focus back on playing basketball after a recent fracas with San Sebastian's volleyball coach Roger Gorayeb in an NCAA volleyball tournament at its own campus.

Before Ateneo and San Beda can arrange a title showdown, they will have to hurdle past two other teams in a round-robin semifinals which starts Sunday at The Arena in San Juan.

The Eagles and Lions are joined by NCAA runner-up San Sebastian led by its "Big Three" of Calvin Abueva, Ronald Pascual and Ian Sangalang and CESAFI champion and Southern Islands winner University of Cebu powered by 6-foot-10 wonder Junmar Fajardo.

The top two teams will advance to the finals with the first placer gaining a twice-to-beat advantage.

source: Jonas Terrado, MB.com.ph