The Philippine NCAA uses FIBA rules, and under those rules is the FIBA classification point system. The four teams will have to play a playoff for the three Final Four spots.

San Beda is untouchable at the first spot at 11 3 and gets the first twice-to-beat incentive.

No.2 SSC-R 4 2 10
No. 3 MIT 3 3 9
No. 4 Letran 3 3 9
No. 5 JRU 2 4 8

San Sebastian will play Jose Rizal University and Letran will play Mapua. Winners of both games will play in another do-or-die match to determine which team gets the second seeding in the Final Four and the last of two twice-to-beat incentive. The losing team automatically gets the third seed. Losing teams in the first two matches will also play another match to determine who will take a vacation and who will sit at the fourth seed.

The two schools from Intramuros, which are three blocks apart, Letran College and Mapua Institute of Technology, will play on Septemeber 15 at 4 PM. The Cardinals beat the Knights in the first round but the Knights avenged that loss in the second round to split their games in the season.

Backcourt

This is a game in which both teams will be bringing stout backcourts to the table, however I would hand the edge to Mapua. Kelvin dela Pena (the reigning Most Valuable Player of the league) and Jonathan Banal comprise the best starting backcourt in the field. Even with Mangahas replacing Jonathan Banal in the backcourt isn’t too shabby.

Both Banal and Mangahas are dynamic players that knows how to distribute the basketball. What makes them dangerous is that because of their shooting abilities, they can get their own shots anytime they want.

Frontcourt

Daa, Guevarra, Foronda against the frontcourt of Mapua, led by their senior Niel Pascual, comprising of Jason Pascual, Mazo, and Sarangay would be a tie. These Big Men will battle for the boards and blocks. Note that, boards will be a great factor in this game. As the record shows, Mapua beat Letran when they lead in boards with 38-34 while Letran beat Mapua when the Knights had 57 boards against the Cardinal’s 41 boards. It may mean that whoever gets the most rebounds of the game will mostly win it.

Coaching

Both Louie Alas and Leo Isaac are veteran mentors but I would hand the edge to Isaac. Isaac probably have more mentoring experience, he is one of the assistant coach of Air21 and the coach of Noosa Shoes. Coach Louie Alas is considered to be the best defensive coach of the NCAA and will make good plays.

Intangibles

Allan Mangahas and Mark Sarangay gets a lot of time a rookie, which means Leo Isaac and the Cardinals are as young as it gets. Isaac is only in his third year as the Cardinal’s mentor. I would hand the intangibles edge to the Letran Knights.

Prediction

Mapua 62

Letran 60

1. Gabe Norwood George Mason University Rain or Shine
2. Jared Dillinger University of Hawaii Talk ‘N Text
3. Jason Castro Philippine Christian University Talk ‘N Text
4. Robert Reyes Flagler College Talk ‘N Text
5. Solomon Mercado Biola University Alaska
6. Mark Borboran University of the East Air21
7. Beau Belga Philippine Christian University Purefoods
8. Bonifacio Custodio University of the East San Miguel
9. Larry Rodriguez Philippine Maritime Institute Red Bull
10. Kelvin Gregorio University of the East Sta. Lucia

Second Round

11. John Paul Escobal San Beda College Talk ‘N Text
12. Tyrone Tang De La Salle University Rain or Shine
13. Cholo Villanueva De La Salle University Air21
14. Chito Jaime AMA Computer University Sta. Lucia
15. Kelvin dela Pena Mapua Institute of Technology Alaska
16. Jonathan Fernandez National University Purefoods
17. Jeffrey Chan Far Eastern University Red Bull
18. Mark Anthony Cuevas Los Angeles County College Red Bull
19. Passed
20. Christian Cabatu College of St. Benilde Sta. Lucia

Congratulations to Kelvin dela Pena of Mapua Institute of Technology, the reigning MVP of the NCAA. Nataniel Cruz who also played for Mapua was not drafted.

After nine rounds in the 2008 Sydney International Open Chess Tournament, which was held on 25-29 March at Parramatta Town Hall, Australia, JJ De Ramos of Mapua Institute of Technology, seeded 27th, finished 21st. He had 5 1/2 points by beating Kalisch Tom, Stojic Svetozar, Nguyen Thu Giang, Hu Jason, Dotsenko Viacheslav and a draw with FM Goldenberg Igor.

De Ramos lost all his games with a GM. His performance rating is 2355.

Both died from multiple stab wounds.

Police Officer 2 Alfredo Mabutol Jr. of the Manila Police District homicide division said the incident happened at around 9:30 p.m. at the corner of Urdaneta and Gen. Luna Streets in Intramuros.

One of the victims’ companions, Romeo de la Cruz, said they were on their way home after a drinking spree in a restaurant on Magallanes Street when they met a group of men, also MIT students.

The members of the group suddenly attacked them, De la Cruz said, adding that one man suddenly took out a knife and stabbed the two victims before fleeing.

Investigators said that the killing was probably a fraternity-related incident as the victims and their attackers were members of two different fraternity groups.

The two groups, however, were not at odds with each other, the police added.