FEU, UP dispute 'Filoil' lead

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines dispute the solo lead in Group B as action in the 2011 Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Premier Cup resumes at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City today.

Coming out victorious in their respective first assignments under new coaches, the Tamaraws and the Fighting Maroons set their sights on win No. 2 as they slug it out in the 1:45 p.m. match.

The FEU crew of comebacking mentor Bert Flores flaunted its form early by dismantling contender Adamson, 66-61, while the UP quintet of new chief tactician Ricky Dandan showed grit in posting a come-from-behind 65-63 win over Letran prior to the league’s Lenten break.

“They (Maroons) have a good system under their new coach plus the confidence of their players is high due to the experience of playing in the PBA D-League (under the Junior Powerade banner),” Flores said in Filipino.

“As for FEU, we need to check our tendency to relax after setting big leads and sustain our aggressiveness all throughout,” added the last coach to steer FEU to the UAAP crown back in 2005.

The Maroons have taken a more positive mindset as they bid to rebound from their winless season in the UAAP.

“I’m pleased with what I saw especially in the way they never gave up after getting down by eight or nine (against Letran),” said Dandan. “I’m optimistic about the next (UAAP) season. For as long as the players can embrace the change in mindset that we want, we can make a better showing.” 

NCAA champ San Beda (1-2) seeks to bounce back from its 80-83 setback to a beefed up National U in Group A last week as it takes on debuting Lyceum at 3:30 p.m.

La Salle and Arellano, two teams that dropped their respective Group A opening outings, mix it up in the 5:15 p.m. encounter.

Setting up the day’s heavy six-game bill is juniors action featuring Phl Youth U-13 of coach Mark Herrera against Letran at 8:30 a.m., Mapua versus FEU-Fern C at 10:15 a.m. and three-peat UAAP titlist Ateneo against Arellano at 12 noon.

Meanwhile, De La Salle-Zobel posted an 82-62 rout of Ateneo in their recent clash in the junior side of the pre-season tournament.

Renzo Subido, member of the Phl Under-16 team, combined with Axel Torres and Von Yu as the Junior Archers outplayed and outgunned the Blue Eaglets to lead by as many as 26 points en route to the one-sided victory.

The tournament is presented by Pioneer Mighty Bond Xtreme and Elastoseal with major sponsors Filoil Flying V, Total Phils., Gerry’s Grill, BDO, Oxycan, Bayo, Cobra Energy Drink, TMS Ship Agencies, San Marino Corned Tuna and Molten.