MANILA, Philippines — Mighty Sports-Tagaytay Highlands, comprised of Batch 1974 to 1996, arranged a mouth-watering title showdown with Revicon Max-Prima Pasta (Batch 1999) in the Cortina Conference (Division I) of the Xavier Alumni Basketball League Sunday at Xavier School’s Jacinto Tiu Competition Courts in San Juan City.

Also advancing to the finals in the event sponsored by Highlands Steakhouse, Tagaytay Highlands and Dr. Ninja Purified Water are defending champion Batch 2007, which will face Unisia (Batch 94 and 96) in the Mena/Moran Conference (Division 3) and Pacific Pipes (Batch 2002) which will collide against Kong (Batch 87) in the Clifford/Pineau Conference (Div. 2).

League commissioner Sammy Uy (Batch 73) also announced the three winners of the Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards of the event with Alvin Cotaoco of the 1987 Stallions shining in the Mena/Moran Conference, Benedicto Coyiuto of the 1993-96 Baron Residences in the Clifford/Pineau and Philmon Yao (’06) in the Cortina Conferences.They all received trophies and gift checks from Highland Steakhouse.

Handy Fix-Cebu

CEBU CITY – Barangay Pulpogan joined early qualifier Barangay Poblacion Pardo to the Regional Finals of the 1st Handy Fix Super League National Barangay Championship. Pulpogan, which turned back Poblacion Pardo in overtime, 82-80, battles Brgy. Dumlog of Talisay City, while Poblacion Pardo meets Brgy. Pajo of Lapu-Lapu City on Nov. 6 at the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Gym.

Ernesto Tudtud scored 15 points for Pulpogan, getting named Max Bond Player of the Game, while Russel Moneva, the Sapal Defensive Player of the Game, added 14. The tournament is backed by Sapal Elastic Sealant, Max! Bond Super Glue, Max! Masking Tape, Max! Electrical Tape, Metal Guard, Red Brake Fluid, Maxweld, Buildrite Construction Chemicals, and Unilab.

Burlington tilt

POW and Cogeo Sat.-Sun. Basketball Club square off in a crucial match as the race to the finals heats up in the Burlington Life Begins@40 basketball tournament at Brgy. Bangkal gym in Makati today.

Tied for second with Biñan at 2-1, POW and Cogeo try to nail the important third win in their 3 p.m. encounter for the cushion heading to the final day of the single round robin elims of the Biofresh 40-and-above division next week. With a 3-0 card, Gameville is a cinch to clinch the first finals seat even as it goes for its fourth straight against Burlington at 1:30 p.m.

P.T.A. elites

Tamitha Nguyen and Jurence Mendoza pulled off victories in contrasting fashions as the Philippine Tennis Academy junior stalwarts ruled their respective divisions in the Vietnam International Prudential Cup in Bac Lieu, Vietnam recently.

Nguyen fought back from an opening set loss and 2-5 down in the deciding set to turn back Sweden’s top junior Jacqueline Cabajawad, 3-6, 6-0, 7-5, and capture the ladies crown in the ITF (International Tennis Federation) 18-under category. While Nguyen needed three sets to stop her rival, Mendoza dominated doubles partner Kaewsuto of Thailand, 6-4, 6-4, to clinch the boys’ crown.

U.C.A.A. volley

La Salle-Dasmariñas dug deep into its bag tricks and repulsed Philippine School of Business Administration, 19-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-18, Thursday to retain the 10th Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) women’s volleyball tournament crown.

The Lady Patriots leaned on the combination of plays from Giselle Bembo and Bea Canillas in the fourth set to sweep their best-of-three title series with the Lady Jaguars at the Central Colleges of the Philippines gymnasium in Sta. Mesa, Manila.