MAPUA, the host of the coming National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) season, will ride a theme bordering on the principles of the discipline it is known for during the league’s opening ceremonies for its 84th season on June 28 at the Araneta Coliseum.

NCAA spokesman Henry Atayde did not bare the details of the ceremony but said he was impressed with what he initially saw.

“From what I saw, it is mechanical. Maganda at magaling. They really want to surprise the crowd,” said Atayde, who apparently watched a dress rehearsal for the opening rites.

Mapua, a school traditionally known for its topnotch products in engineering courses, promised to present engineering principles in the program, besides the usual performances seen in opening ceremonies of the oldest collegiate league in the country.

Right after the opening ceremony that starts at 1 p.m., the Cardinals face off with two-time defending men’s basketball champion San Beda College at 2 p.m., while Jose Rizal University takes on last season’s runner-up Letran. Both games will be televised on Studio 23.

San Sebastian College battles University of Perpetual Help-Dalta at 6 p.m., while Saint Benilde battles the comebacking Philippine Christian University at 8 p.m.

The rest of the men’s seniors basketball and juniors games will be played at the Cuneta Astrodome every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the league assuring the public of police visibility in the venue.

Games from the Final Four up to the championship will be played at the Araneta Coliseum.

Volleyball, table tennis and chess will also be played during the first semester.

Strongest Rafa ever

PARIS—Early in the second set of the French Open final, not quite halfway into what would wind up as Roger Federer’s worst loss in 173 career Grand Slam matches, he watched intently as Rafael Nadal pushed a forehand wide to end a lengthy exchange.

What injury? Pierce carries Celtics past Lakers in Game 2

BOSTON—This time, Paul Pierce picked up his teammates.

One game after being carried off the floor following a scary—but ultimately insignificant—knee injury, the Celtics forward scored 28 points to help Boston beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 108-102, and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven National Basketball Association (NBA) finals.

ARTEMIO Murakami is eagerly excited about his stint in the US Open.

What’s even more motivating for his homecoming to host venue Torrey Pines in San Diego—site of several junior tournaments which he joined in the past—is the fact that he’ll be actually playing in the prestigious tournament.

Manny Pacquiao has been experiencing cough and colds days after his latest promotional tour in San Francisco, California.

This was revealed by the boxing champ himself during an overseas call by the BusinessMirror moments before he hit the sack Sunday night at his posh Palazzo apartment in Park La Brea in Los Angeles.

MAPUA, the host of the coming National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) season, will ride a theme bordering on the principles of the discipline it is known for during the league’s opening ceremonies for its 84th season on June 28 at the Araneta Coliseum.

JUST one-half of Barangay Ginebra’s dreaded backcourt duo is enough to give the opposition fits.

This was borne out by Jayjay Helterbrand, whose consistent sterling plays despite have given the crowd favorite Kings ample boost to buck the absence of Mark Caguioa and continue their resurgence in the Smart-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference.

GOLD COAST—I have been here since Friday and had just caught up the last few hours of the successful four-day Magic Millions broodmare sales at its huge complex here.