MANILA, Philippines - Archrivals Ateneo and La Salle prime up for their keenly awaited match on Saturday as they take on separate rivals today at resumption of action in the Filoil Flying V First Five Pre-Season Invitational Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
The Green Archers face the UP Maroons at 3 p.m., right after the Emilio Aguinaldo College-San Beda tiff at 1 p.m. The Blue Eagles, on the other hand, collide with the Arellano University Chiefs at 5 p.m.
The Archers are gunning for their third win in a row while the Blue Eagles shoot for their second straight win, making today’s games important for both teams trying to build the much-needed momentum for their Saturday showdown.
La Salle nipped Letran in the opener, 77-76, before cruising past the Emilio Aguinaldo College, 93-69, while Ateneo turned back San Beda, 84-73, also in the inaugurals of the event presented by Mighty Bond Extreme, with major sponsors Total Phils. Corp., San Marino Corned Tuna, Accel, Filoil Gas Company, Flying V and Hanesbrands, the official outfitter.
Against the Maroons, who earlier lost to the Red Lions, 61-70, the Archers should have little problem imposing their might although Joshua Webb must lead and continue to produce double-digit outputs.
The Maroons, led by veterans Woody Co and Martin Reyes, will have to dish out their best game and try to keep in step with the cat-quick Archers, who utilize their speed in toppling their first two opponents in the tournament also backed by BDO, Pagcor Sports, Jimms Coffee Mix, Bacchus Energy Drink, Adidas, Bayo, Kaspersky Isecure Networks, Zest Air, Monster Radio RX 93.1 and Pilipinas Sife.
Like La Salle, Ateneo faces a relatively light assignment against the Chiefs, who have lost their ace player in Gia Ciriacruz to graduation although they proved to be a steadier squad against the University of Perpetual Help Altas, whom they beat, 67-58, in the opener.
Ateneo, back-to-back champions in the UAAP, boasts of talents in Nico Salva, Eman Monfort and Eric Salamat and a host of other scorers and is expected to dominate the game.
In the other seniors match, San Beda hopes to improve to 2-1 as it goes up against EAC (0-1).
Two juniors game are also on tap in the Accel Badolato Cup with Letran taking Mapua at 11 a.m. and San Beda going up against Adamson.
Game tickets are available thru TicketNet at 911-5555 or at the Filoil Flying V Arena gates.