Eagles, Lions collide

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo and San Beda provide the early fireworks in the Filoil Flying V Tanduay First Five Pre-Season Invitational Cup as they clash today at the start of the tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Eagles, the back-to-back UAAP champions, and the former three-time NCAA titlist Red Lions mix it up in the 2 p.m. opener of an explosive triple-bill kicking off hostilities in the country’s premier pre-season tournament.

La Salle and Letran tangle at 4 p.m. while reigning NCAA champion San Sebastian opens its title drive against Jose Rizal U at 6 p.m.

An hour-long opening ceremony will be held at 1 p.m.

Sixteen teams are seeing action in the seniors side tournament presented by Pioneer Mighty Bond Extreme with major sponsors Filoil Flying V, Total Phils. Inc., San Marino, Accel and official outfitter Hanes, including the 18-under team of coach Eric Altamirano, while the juniors division has 17 squads, including the 13-under team coached by Mark Herrera.

Tickets for all the games are available thru Ticketnet at tel. No. 911-55 or at the customer service of SM Malls, or log on at ticketnet.com.ph. Tickets are also available at the entrance gates of the Filoil Flying V Arena.

Focus will be on the Blue Eagles-Red Lions duel with the Katipunan-based squad hoping to start out right on a team built around veterans Eric Salamat, Nico Salva and Ryan Buenafe.

But San Beda is ready for the challenge behind American Sudan Daniels, Jake Pascual, Dave Marcelo and Garvo Lanete.

La Salle, meanwhile, tries to make up for the lack of veterans with their quickness and athleticism with several rookies on its fold.

The Archers should have little problem against the Knights, whose two key players – RJ Jazul and Raymond Guevarra – have played out their last year in the previous season of the tournament backed by adidas, BDO, Bayo, Jimm’s Coffee, Kaspersky, Zest Air, Karspersky Isecure Networks, Gourmet Coffee and RX 93.1.

Taking over are brothers Kevin and Junjun Alas, sons of head coach Louie Alas, big man Jam Cortez and JP Belencion.

In the nightcap, the powerhouse Stags of Ato Agustin are fancied to roll past the Heavy Bombers. The Recoletos-based team boasts of a talent-laden starting unit made up of Anthony del Rio, Pamboy Raymundo,Ronald Pascual, Gilbert Bulawon, Ian Sangalang and another explosive player in

Calvin Abueva.

They will be up against a JRU squad which lost key players James Sena, Mark Cagoco, John Wilson and John Agas to graduation.

Expected to lead the Bombers are Marvin Hayes, Raycon Cabigting, Derricko Lopez, John Ngjei, JR Bulangis and John Montemayor, plus a promising rookie in JR Yasa from the school’s junior squad.