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By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--La Salle will play the first of its two chances to annex the UAAP men's basketball championship in Game 2 of its best-of-three finals against Ateneo at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday.
The Green Archers can complete a 2-0 sweep of their championship showdown with the Blue Eagles in their 4 p.m. match-up.
La Salle drew first blood in the finals with a 67-65 nail-biting win against Ateneo on Saturday night, and skipper Jeron Teng wants to make sure it will be total domination this time around after nearly blowing a 16-point lead.
"I told my teammates that we have to play better because kinabahan kami," Teng said.
Teng and fellow stars Ben Mbala and Aljun Melecio will first receive their commendations for their outstanding stint this year in the individual awards at 2 p.m.
Teng was named into the Mythical Five led by Mbala, who was hailed as the season MVP.
Joining them in the mythical selection are Ateneo's Thirdy Ravena, FEU's Toto Jose, and UP's Paul Desiderio, who was named to the Gilas training pool for the SEABA Championship and the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers next year.
On the other hand, Melecio is set to be named the Rookie of the Year.
Also to be feted are the UAAP athletes who shone brightly in international competitions like the ASEAN University Games and the Rio Olympics.
Before that, NU and La Salle face off one more time in Game 2 of the women's basketball finals at 11 a.m.
The Lady Bulldogs can complete a full season sweep against the Lady Archers.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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