Manila, Philippines - Top meets bottom in the 2011 Filoil Flying V Hanes Pre-Season Premier Cup as unbeaten Far Eastern University Tamaraws take on the slumping College of St. Benilde Blazers today at the Arena.
With a 6-0 win-loss card in Group B, the Tams have safely secured their place in the quarterfinals but coach Bert Flores have given them the standing orders to go on with their rampage without letup, making them the heavy favorites against the Blazers (0-6) in their 2:15 p.m. matchup.
“Slowly we’re playing better as a team compared to our first few games,” Flores said after his wards’ quarters-clinching 79-63 rout of Jose Rizal U last Saturday. “We’re starting to come along together and that’s what we need. We have to sustain that for us to continue winning.”
Another squad currently enjoying a streak, defending champion San Sebastian College Recoletos (4-1), looks for another victory against lightweight Arellano (1-4) at 4 p.m.
The Stags have been on a roll after dropping their opening assignment, hurdling their next four outings, including an 81-74 decision over Lyceum last Saturday, to inch closer to a Last 8 slot in Group A.
This they did despite insufficient time to jell as a team and fully absorb the system of Valenzona, who returned to the bench after the departure of previous mentor Ato Agustin.
“Our system is really not in full-effect yet,” Valenzona said in Filipino. “This is because our players who are taking part in the (PBA) D-League, (Calvin) Abueva, (Ronald) Pascual, (Anthony) Del Rio, and (Jonathan) Semira can hardly join our practices. It’s only their experience that’s giving us a lift somehow. We’re still trying to get our game, actually.”
Struggling Jose Rizal University (2-4) and Emilio Aguinaldo College (2-4) face off in the 12:30 p.m. seniors opener, both trying to resuscitate their hopes for the next round.