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Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Updated: March 17, 4:01 PM ET
 Stud Scud meets his perfect match
By Jason McIntyre
Special to Page 3
Mark Philippoussis and Alexis Barbara
Does Alexis need a note for skipping class to attend her fiance's tennis match?
In Page 3's ongoing quest to bring you all that is relevant in the world of sports and celebrities, we present to you (drum roll, please) yet another blog!

While blogs are so very 2004, it's the only legitimate way to work more references (and photos) of the ubiquitous Paris Hilton into our content. And we'll talk a little sports, too. P3's Jason McIntyre keeps you up-to-date with the latest celebrity dish.

SCUD LOCKED UP
Mark Philippoussis, a formidable tennis player once ranked eighth in the world, is now best known for dating celebrities, including Tara Reid, Paris Hilton and Anna Kournikova. Recently, he proposed to 18-year-old actress and model Alexis Barbara, who has yet to finish high school. Barbara is the daughter of millionaire property developer Oscar Barbara, president of Quantum Homes and the Builders Association of South Florida.

The property tycoon heiress has been dating Philippoussis for the past five months and accepted his marriage proposal. Her engagement ring is reportedly worth $200,000.

Apparently, the family loves him – and so far, there's been no mention of the 10-year age difference.

MARBURY AND NIA LONG?
We already know that Stephon Marbury can take anyone off the dribble and that he's incapable of winning in the playoffs. But did we know that he knew how to put the moves on hot actresses?

The Knicks' point guard was spotted exiting through the back elevator with actress Nia Long. Go Steph, it's your birthday...

BET SHOCKEY'S HAPPY
Tony Gonzalez and Vida Guerra
Are we looking at a budding new couple? Tony and Vida chillin' out at a party.
One wonders: Does Vida Guerra – a girl who ... ah, we'll just let the pictures tell the story – have a hankering for tight ends? She famously dated Jeremy Shockey of the New York Giants, and now a report out of Las Vegas places the FHM cover model on the dance floor with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez at her cover party at Pure, a popular nightclub located within Caesars Palace.

Somewhere, there's a play on "tight end," but we can't seem to find it. Either way, she's due in New York City next week, so maybe Shockey can win her back.

MYSTERIOUS SPLIT
Derek Jeter, you've got some explaining to do! GQ has a brilliant article about Jeter's ex-girlfriend, Jessica Alba. The two dated last fall and mysteriously, the relationship abruptly ended shortly after the baseball season. In the fawning article, Alba talks at length of stripping, drinking, cursing and stripping (for her new film, Frank Miller's "Sin City," due out this year).

"Well, technically," says Alba, sipping her Madeira and clearing up a misconception, "Texas was only one of the places I learned to strip. I also learned in New York, L.A. and Miami. But my character wears a cowboy hat and a lasso and boots, and I didn't want to do a bad job for Robert Rodriguez, so I went to a club in Austin." ('The Sinner,' GQ, March 2005)

In my opinion, girls who talk so candidly about stripping are considered cool. So Jeter, why'd you two split up? There's no shame in going back to her – especially since everyone knows what she looks like in a bathing suit.

Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton
Nicole and Paris, best friends forever?
OBLIGATORY PARIS REFERENCE
We're just going to pretend for a minute that Paris Hilton isn't dating a Greek heir, 25-year-old Paris Latsis, and continue our unabashed lovefest for her by reveling at her marvelous Guess? campaign.

After you've closed your mouth and wiped the drool, let's mourn for a minute the supposed end of her longtime friendship with "The Simple Life" co-star Nicole Richie. Cue the "Boyz II Men" CD and wipe a tear while remembering them in happier times.

Jason McIntyre covers sports and entertainment in New York. He can be reached at jasonrajmcintyre@yahoo.com.