THE University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons will have two foreign players practicing with them when they prepare for the coming 80th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

Fighting Maroons’ coach Bo Perasol said this after members of the alumni managed to convince former University of Perperual Help big man Bright Akhuetie to come aboard and join the squad.

These two teams are making a habit of playing memorable games. After late three point shots from C.J. McCollum forced both overtime and then a second overtime, it was a three point shot from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope that had the final word.

The Knights of Columbus (Kof C) of the Don Bosco Council 10277 - Our Lady of Good Council Church Surrey BC celebrated Christmas in an exciting and enjoyable way – by playing basketball.

Introduced recently as the man taking the head-coaching duties for CSB’s men’s basketball team next season at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Mr. Tang, now 32, said it is a “natural progression” for him to now be a coach following a noted career in high school all the way to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) playing the point guard position.

“I didn’t really close my doors on coaching and I wanted to try it at one point. I think it’s natural for me. Being a champion and competitive athlete as I am, I wanted to share that kind of mind-set and passion with others,” said Mr. Tang in an intimate gathering with a small group of media at the CSB compound last week.

IN ONLY his first year in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), coach Aldin Ayo did not waste time making a name for himself, leading the De La Salle Green Archers to another UAAP men’s basketball title.

Sweeping archrivals Ateneo Blue Eagles in their best-of-three finals series, Mr. Ayo and the Archers notched the school’s first seniors hoops crown since 2013 and its ninth overall for solo fourth place all time.

The feat, incidentally, was in follow-up to the championship Mr. Ayo won last year while coaching the Letran Knights over at the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Aaron Black, son of one of the greatest coaches in the history of Philippine basketball, figured in a controversial play in Game 1 of the highly anticipated UAAP basketball championship.

 VANCOUVER, CANADA-   One of the Filipinos’ favorite sports is basketball. And Filipinos in Canada are no different.

                In the recently concluded ICSA Filipino Basketball League in Vancouver, the Sto. Nino team successfully defended their title against Ron’s team 47-40, cementing their legacy as one of the most successful Filipino basketball teams in Vancouver.

“It is a satisfying victory,” said team manager and coach Michael Castro.

Fiercest rivals Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University battle it out in the basketball court for the UAAP Men’s Basketball Championship Season 79 starting Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

THE Ateneo Blue Eagles advanced to the finals of University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 79 men’s basketball after beating the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in overtime, 69-68, yesterday in their Final Four rubber match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Needing to come out triumphant to set a finals date with rivals and already-qualified De La Salle Green Archers, Ateneo got the better of FEU in their do-or-die on a balanced attack.

The Eagles struggled early, finding themselves trailing behind, 20-15, at the end of the first period.

THE five new coaches hope to make an impact with their respective teams in the NCAA men's basketball tournament which opens on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.