ALLAN THE MAN

The Ateneo Blue Eagles won their fifth straight UAAP title after defeating University of Santo Tomas, 65-62, in Game Two to sweep the Season 75 finals Thursday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Sophomore Kiefer Ravena led the charge for Ateneo, hitting 21 points including a crucial basket with 30 seconds left that pushed the Blue Eagles lead to six points.

The status of youth unemployment here in the Philippines has been revealed by an alarming report in Interaksyon, the official news portal of TV5 (Kapatid). The report cites that youth unemployment is at an "alarming rate" of 17 percent, which is twice the national average.

I cannot help but agree with what the report contained. It's true. There is a widespread job mismatch and skills shortage, although companies have a lot of unfilled jobs.

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has handed down a suspension on referee Jun Marabe upon review of the official’s performance in Ginebra’s 98-94 win Sunday night over Rain or Shine.

Marabe called a crucial foul on Elasto Painters guard Gabe Norwood during a loose ball scramble with LA Tenorio, which Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao protested.

MANILA, Philippines - Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III filed and later withdrew a bill seeking to abolish the much-assailed libel provision in Cybercrime Prevention Act - in deference, supposedly, to the sentiments of President Aquino.

Sotto said he filed a bill last Friday to remove libel from the Cybercrime law, but when he heard the statement of President Benigno Aquino III on the said provision, he opted to withdraw the measure.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s move toward a run-and-gun system has produced more than just excitement for its legion of fans.

The Gin Kings have also won their first two assignments, giving them the early top spot in the Philippine Cup.

“I feel very comfortable with this system,” Ginebra superstar Mark Caguioa told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview. “Like I said before, with LA (Tenorio) and the new system we’re using, basketball has become so easy for me.”

Ateneo de Manila University used a monster second half start before relying on its championship composure in the endgame to upend University of Santo Tomas, 83-78, in Game One of the UAAP Season 75 finals Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Blue Eagles opened the third quarter with a 17-0 run that turned a 38-31 halftime deficit into a 48-38 lead. The Growling Tigers came back to briefly retake the lead in the fourth, but several Ateneo players, including Kiefer Ravena who scored with 8.8 seconds to clinch the game, made crucial baskets late as the Blue Eagles took an early lead in their best-of-three championship series.

The Department of Tourism has launched the official Audio Video Presentation (AVP) of the sensational campaign “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

The AVP which runs for 2 minute and 42 seconds highlights the country’s world famous tourist attractions such as the Mayon Volcano in Albay, the Chocolate Hills in Bohol and Boracay, which was named world’s best island by international travel magazine Travel + Leisure.