MANILA, Philippines – The dream title showdown that never materialized in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is now on.

The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles and the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws will start their best-of-three Finals in the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena.

Game time is at 4 p.m. following the equally intriguing rematch of the NCAA Finals in the lone battle for third between the San Sebastian Golden Stags and the San Beda Red Lions at 2 p.m.

The Tamaraws, who are gunning for their third PCCL title since 2005, went through the eye of the needle just to get to the finals. On the other hand, the Blue Eagles bulldozed their way to get a crack at a third title this year following victories in the UAAP and the Unigames.

FEU coach Glenn Capacio saw maturity in his team’s last two games. The Tamaraws got back at their UAAP Final Four tormentor, University of the East Red Warriors, 86-85, in the Elite Eight, then beat the Stags, 86-83, in a pulsating overtime game in the Final Four last Monday.

“Ipinakita ng mga bata na nag-mature na sila. Pagkatapos ng lahat ng pinagdaanan ng team, ibubuhos na namin lahat dito (sa Finals),” FEU coach Glenn Capacio said.

One thing going for the Tamaraws in this series is the emergence of RR Garcia. The Zamboanga native has ably filled the void left by the team’s erstwhile backcourt leader Andy Mark Barroca, who was unceremoniously banished from the team at the height of the UAAP Final Four for alleged game fixing.

With Barroca gone, so did FEU’s dream title showdown with Ateneo in the UAAP Finals.

But the PCCL is another story for the Tamaraws – thanks largely to Garcia.

The 19-year-old heady playmaker made the marginal basket in their emotional win against the Warriors, and then erupted for a career-high 28 points, 10 in the pivotal overtime, and added 5 rebounds, 6 assists and a tournament-high 6 steals in their semifinal game against the Stags.

Garcia, who won the FilOil Fying V Invitationals MVP award prior to the start of the UAAP Season 72, is on his way to an encore if he can lead the Tamaraws to the national title.

To do that, he and his Tamaraws would need to topple a great champion.

The Eagles, who won this tourney in 2007, are banking on the improved play of their bench. Even without Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Ateneo has whipped their opponents in this tournament by an average of 10 points.

Despite the easy wins on their way to the Finals, Ateneo coach Norman Black is wary of his team’s chances.

“We hope to do a little bit better in the Finals. We’re playing incomplete, but I tell you, we’ll go out there to try to get a win,” said Black.

Only Jai Reyes, from their three graduating starters, has been religiously practicing with the team.

Al-Hussaini has yet to see action in this tournament since signing up with the Smart Gilas-RP Team, while Noy Baclao squeezes time to play for the Eagles when his Asean Basketball League’s team, Philippine Patriots, does not have a game.

But the other Eagles have all rose to the occasion.

Nico Salva led the Eagles in spanking the Lyceum Pirates with 17 points. Kirk Long (19 points) and Justin Chua (15 points and 14 rebounds) played huge in repeating over the University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers. Oping Sumalinog scored a career-high 14 against the Lions in the Final Four.

The Eagles would need to find another hero against a determined FEU squad.

Game Two of the series will be played in the same venue on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are being sold for P150 at ringside while P50 at general admission. The games will be telecast live on Studio23 while replays will be aired on Balls Channel at 10 p.m. -- by Alder T. Almo