MANILA, Philippines?San Beda?s Sam Ekwe has been lording it over at the paint without respect for the other team. And nobody could break the rhythm of La Salle?s JV Casio when his three-pointers find their target.

La Salle coach Franz Pumaren and San Beda mentor Frankie Lim both think a game featuring Casio?s shooting and the dominating inside presence of Ekwe could be a dream encounter in the 2008 UAAP-NCAA Centennial Cup.

Both champion coaches yesterday gave their nod to an ambitious plan that could unite all the schools from the UAAP and the NCAA under one mammoth collegiate league starting next year.

?It?s a welcome development for collegiate basketball,? said Pumaren, whose Green Archers captured this year?s UAAP men?s basketball varsity crown. ?I think it will benefit both the UAAP and the NCAA.?

Lim, who has steered the Red Lions to a second straight NCAA seniors basketball title, shared the optimism and enthusiasm of Pumaren.

?That will be huge,? said Lim. ?But if you ask me, it would be best if they put up one collegiate league and make it a yearly endeavor.?

Envisioned by BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Patrick Gregorio, the Centennial Cup is being planned to coincide with next year?s UAAP hosting by the University of the Philippines on the school?s 100th anniversary.

There?s one concern, though, that Pumaren and Lim want addressed. Both believe the format should benefit all the member schools.

Lim said the Centennial Cup organizers should rate the teams and put them in a division or bracket where they could flourish. Pumaren is batting for a format that would suit the calendar of both leagues.

?There are a lot of ways to skin the cat,? said Lim. ?They could put up a bracket for strong teams or a Division II for weaker teams.?

Pumaren said: ?They should sit down and create a format that would appeal to both institutions. But generally, it (the merger) is a very good idea.?

Gregorio will present a concept paper on the proposed UAAP-NCAA merger early next month to UP president Emerlinda Roman, UP chancellor Sergio Cao and NCAA host Mapua, through its president Rey Vea.

After getting the nod of the UAAP board and NCAA management committee, Gregorio said an ad hoc committee, whose chief task is to oversee the affairs and interests of the UAAP-NCAA merger, will be formed.