Embattled Archers eye vital win vs rival Eagles

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle hopes to recover lost grounds as it guns for an all-important win against archrival Ateneo today, capping a tumultuous elimination round in the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Tickets for the 6 p.m. match, to be aired on a delayed basis at 11:30 p.m., are still available at SM ticket outlets (470-2222) or at the alumni offices of both La Salle and Ateneo. A replay is set tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.

While Ateneo, coming off its annual US training, is assured of a berth in the quarterfinals with a 6-1 slate, La Salle is hard pressed for a win to boost its 4-3 card, marred by its 61-67 setback to ousted Mapua last Monday.

The loss dropped La Salle into a three-way tie with Letran and University of Sto. Tomas  at 4-3. 

Another loss by La Salle coupled with a win by Letran over San Beda at 1 p.m. will oust the Archers from the quarters race.

Losses by La Salle and Letran, on the other hand, will hand the Green Archers the No. 4 spot by virtue of the winner-over-the-other rule.

La Salle, however, will be facing an Ateneo side without Mark Tallo, who was suspended after an altercation with Mapua’s Andretti Stevens.

The Archers beat the Eagles, 66-61, in last year’s staging of the event presented by Bostik Phils., in cooperation with Total Phils., Inc and major sponsors Vulcaseal, Meralco, NLEX Road Warriors, TMS Ship Agencies, Inc., Kia Motors, BDO, Molten, Nature’s Spring and Oxycan.