Ateneo-La Salle opens Manuel V. Pangilinan Cup

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle and Ateneo begin their storied rivalry earlier than usual as they clash in the Filoil Flying V Pre-season Manuel V. Pangilinan Cup beginning April 18 at the new Filoil Flying V Arena (formerly The Arena) in San Juan City.

Slated to clash at 4 p.m., Ateneo and La Salle collide with the memory of the last UAAP basketball championship still fresh on their minds where the Eagles swept the Archers to bag the crown.

The Taft-based squad actually evened things up with Ateneo when the Archers shot down the Eagles to top the Champs League late last year.

Twelve other teams from the UAAP and the NCAA are also in the fold, each raring to show their form and test each other’s strength in time for the collegiate wars.

Last year’s top two teams – reigning titlist University of the East and runner-up San Beda College – are back in the fold despite some changes in their respective rosters.

Other fancied teams are Far Eastern University, Letran and Adamson.

The three-month long tournament, which adopted for its theme “Tropa Ng Tagumpay,” is a partnership among Filoil Flying V Sports, led by its new chairman Mandy Ochoa, the City of San Juan and the new Filoil Flying V Arena, Pangilinan and the 14 competing teams.

“The Filoil Flying V tournament will be a part of tryout for our rookies. We will find out here who can blend with the team. This is their chance to show their stuff,” said Jack Santiagao, Franz Pumaren’s assistant at La Salle.

Gone from the Archers’ line-up are Rico Maierhofer, JV Casio and PJ Walsham, who played out their remaining year with Peejay Barua, James Mangahas and Bader Malabes taking over.

La Salle will also parade rookies Joseph Marata and Gabriel Banal, a son of ex-pro Joel Banal.

Ateneo has also lost two key players in Chris Tiu and Yuri Escueta but remain formidable with the likes of Rabah Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao, Jai Reyes, Eric Salamat, Ryan Buenafe, Nico Salva and Bacon Austria.

“We’re still a tall team, but we’ll be missing the leadership of Tiu and Escueta. We hope our veterans and the sophomores will continue to improve and step up,” said Jon Jacinto, one of Norman Black’s assistants.

The rest of the schedule in the opening game, which will also unveil the signage for the new Filoil Flying V Arena, pits NCAA rivals San Beda against Letran at 2 p.m., and Jose Rizal University against UP at 6:30 p.m.