Filoil Final Four: FEU faces AdU; JRU vs SSC

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Far Eastern University mixes it up with Adamson University while Jose Rizal University clashes with San Sebastian in the Final Four of the Filoil Flying V First Five Invitational Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena today.

The Falcons, who shocked the fancied Ateneo Eagles, 66-59, in the quarterfinals last Wednesday, hope to draw another solid game from Roider Cabrera, who hit five triples in the fourth quarter to key the team’s surprise victory over the back-to-back UAAP champions.

“(Roider) Cabrera is still not consistent with his performance. But he is strong-willed and is confident with his shots and that is what I need in this team,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria.

But the Falcons will have their hands full against the Tamaraws in their 2 p.m. match with the latter beefed up by the return of Smart Gilas standouts JR Cawaling and Aldrech Ramos.

“They (Cawaling and Ramos) are still adjusting to the team. In terms of plays and execution, they have no problem with it. But in terms of communicating with their teammates on court, they are still working on that,” said FEU coach Glenn Capacio. “They have not played with us for seven months so we’re taking things slowly.”

Meanwhile, Jose Rizal U likewise hopes to come up with a follow up to its big 67-64 victory over San Beda in the quarters as it seeks a finals berth against San Sebastian at 4 p.m.

In juniors action, Ateneo takes on San Sebastian while San Beda battles La Salle Greenhills for berths in the final of the Filoil Flying V Accel Badolato Cup.

The Blue Eaglets and the Red Cubs, who swept their respective groups in the elims to clinch outright semis berths, are fancied to get past their rivals in their 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. matches, respectively.

“San Beda is a very strong team and it takes a lot of guts to face them,” said LSGH coach Hubert delos Santos.

Ateneo is expected to show up with a complete roster with the return of Von Pessumal and Paolo Romero, who are coming off a three-week US training stint with the national team.

Kiefer Ravena, also an RP Youth mainstay, suited up early for the team and showed up in the Eaglets’ last game against Emilio Aguinaldo College where he hit the winning basket.