NC, UAAP champs clash for a cause

MANILA, Philippines - University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion La Salle takes on National Collegiate Athletic Association counterpart San Beda in “Champions for A Cause,” a charity basketball game for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda on Dec.  7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

“During the good old days of the NCAA, its character came from Ateneo, La Salle, Letran, and San Beda,” said former San Beda head coach Frankie Lim, who won two titles as a player and four as head coach for his alma mater. “We had some good battles with La Salle even in their post-Lim Eng Beng years.”

“We won championships in 1971 and 1974,” recalled Beng. “The top teams then were Jose Rizal College (now University), Mapua, and Ateneo. We didn’t catch San Beda at their top form. But we had some great battles with them.”

“One of their (San Beda’s) stars back then was Chito Bugia, the father of (former Ateneo Blue Eagle and current Alaska Ace) Paolo Bugia,” added Virgil Villavicencio who played on the Green Archers’ 1974 team.

“We know of the rivalry,” said current La Salle head coach Juno Sauler. “We don’t get to play them that often except once in a while during the pre-season and post-season tournaments. This is different as it is not only basketball but to help our countrymen affected by Yolanda. On the basketball side, these are two champion teams that will play their best.”

“We have to defend our school’s honor,” said San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez who like Sauler, won a title in their first year at the helm. “So you can say that we will play San Beda basketball.”

“It will be a good game,” said match commissioner Rey Gamboa. “Not only do you get to see great basketball but you get to help.”

Champions for A Cause: For the Victims of Typhoon Yolanda will be played on Dec. 7, at 12 noon, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tickets are now available at Ticketnet and the athletic departments of both La Salle and San Beda.

Ticket prices are as follows: Patron – P1,000; Lower Box – P500; Upper A – P300; Upper B – P150; and General admission – P20.