Archers, Eagles cross paths in bitter duel

Today is the moment Philippine collegiate basketball features one of its most bitter rivalries in past decades — Ateneo versus De La Salle in their first ever encounter this year.

A sea of blue and green is expected to inundate the Philsports Arena in Pasig beginning at 12 noon for a series of Ateneo-La Salle games as part of the Filoil-Flying V Homegrown Invitational Cup.

The noontime game showcases the ADMU Lady Eagles against the DLSU Lady Archers, followed at 2 p.m. by the clash between the UAAP junior champion Blue Eaglets and the LSGH Greenies.

The main offering at 4 is between the Blue Eagles, composed of the core of the 2007 team, and the main team of the resurrected Green Archers.

For all the marbles or for pride or for vindication and validation. Whichever, everything stops at that part of metropolis when these two schools meet, an event that last took place last year before all hell broke loose.

The junior and senior games will be aired live over ABS CBN Sports — Studio 23.

Tickets for this game, backed by Gerry’s Grill, Accel Sports, Millennium Plans, UABS Car Rental Services, Pepsi, Globe Telecommunications, Franz Burger, RJ100, Filpride USA 88 and Nike, are available at all SM TicketNet outlets.

Ateneo is poised to parade Eagle superstars in the persons of JC Intal and Cris Tiu. Expected to provide much-needed firepower are future superstars in Jai Reyes, Ken Barracoso, Ford Arao and Jeff de Guzman.

The Archers will still go to their grizzled warriors like Rico Maierhoffer, Cholo Villanueva and Tyrone Tang. Expect surprises from Bader Malabes and Peejay Barua.

Regular head coach Norman Black is expected to man the Eagles, while Franz Pumaren is back to handle the Green Archers in the biggest game of the year.