Warriors try to get back vs Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines - University of the East tries to recover lost grounds as it faces a surging National U side today in the Filoil Flying V First Five Pre-Season Invitational Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Warriors, who dropped a sorry 92-93 double-overtime loss to the Jose Rizal Bombers over the weekend, take on the Bulldogs in the 5 p.m. main game of another heavy schedule featuring two juniors matches.

Unlike UE, National U is coming off a big 67-65 victory over Adamson although the Warriors remain the slight favorites over the Bulldogs owing to their depth and skills.

The Warriors, however, need to toughen up on their defense against NU’s behemoth, Emmanuel Mbe, who powered the Bulldogs past the Falcons with 24 points, while getting the usual numbers from the prolific pair of Paul Lee and James Martinez.

Lee had 34 points and Martinez added 18 points against the Bombers as the Warriors go all out for a victory to boost their bid for one of the four seats in the quarterfinal round of the tournament 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.

In other games, St. Benilde battles Adamson at 1 p.m. while another winless team in University of Perpetual Help Dalta System takes on Letran at 3 p.m.

In junior play, Mapua shoots for its second victory against the RP 13-Under squad even as San Sebastian seeks to extend its winning streak to four against La Salle Greenhills.

The Red Robins, who lost to FEU and Adamson after cruising past Letran, hope to even their card to 2-2 as they mix it up with the winless RP 13-under team at 9 a.m.”We had lapses in our defense in our last game against FEU,” said Mapua coach Randy Alcantara. “We’ll have a more detailed approach this time when it comes to our defense.”

However, the youth squad, which dropped all four games in Group B, is going all out for a victory in its last outing in the tournament.

“It’s good that the boys experienced this kind of games where they notched their play to a higher level,” said RP U-13 assistant coach Benjie Diswe. “The training that the boys got here is something that we could use in international competitions. So far, I am happy with their performance. I know they did their best.”

Meanwhile, San Sebastian tries to firm up its hold of the lead in Group B as it collides with the Greenies at 11 a.m.