Jr Archers, Eaglets wage best-of-three war

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo and La Salle renew their rivalry, this time in the juniors division, when they clash at the start of the best-of-three duel for the 72nd UAAP basketball crown at The Arena in San Juan City today.

The third-seeded Eaglets, the reigning champions, had to go through the backdoor as they beat the No. 2 Tiger Cubs twice in the Final Four, 72-66, and, 73-68, to complete one of the league’s stunning reversals in the semifinals.

The Junior Archers, who topped the elimination round with a 12-2 (win-loss) record, had an easier time as they pummeled the Far Eastern U Baby Tams, 86-69, to clinch the first championship berth.

“La Salle is a very disciplined team so we need to be aggressive on defense and we need to slow their transition offense,” said Ateneo coach Jamike Jarin, who is seeking to steer the Loyola-based dribblers to their 16th UAAP high school crown.

“It will take a lot of heart to beat La Salle,” he added.

La Salle mentor Boris Aldeguer, who engineered the school’s UAAP crowns in 2005 and 2007, likewise said it’s going to be war.

“It’s going to be a battle of heart and pride. As long as my players stay focused tomorrow (today), I think we’ll be fine,” he said.

Meanwhile, FEU guns for its sixth title while Adamson its fifth when the two clash in the best-of-three women’s championship at 2 p.m.