Archers, Tigers eye second win

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion La Salle wants a quick separation from the pack while Santo Tomas is out for another surprise when they face separate counterparts in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Fresh from a tough first test against National U, La Salle will again carry a large target on its back against underdog but very capable Adamson at 4:30 p.m. prior to the main duel between Santo Tomas and Ateneo at 6:30 p.m.

Tagged as the heavy favorites to repeat, the Green Archers were seriously challenged by the Bulldogs last weekend in a near defeat before MVP Kevin Quiambao came to the rescue.

Quiambao poured six of his 22 points in La Salle’s late flurry, capped by the booming triple in the last nine seconds to flip a 64-71 deficit for the gritty win. And La Salle expects the same teeth-to-teeth match against Adamson, on the heels of a 59-47 win against Far Eastern U to spoil Sean Chambers’ coaching debut.