Weary Falcons face Stags; Knights play Tams

MANILA, Philippines - Adamson U hopes it still has the legs when it battles NCAA runner-up San Sebastian today in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Sweet 16 stepladder playoffs at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

Two days after a draining “double-header,” the Falcons go up against a fresher Golden Stags team at 1:30 p.m., looking to finish early so they can rush to the Trinity University of Asia Gym to hook up with PBA D-League team Freego Jeans for a 4 p.m. outing.

The Soaring Falcons faced the same predicament last Tuesday and proved successful in literally back-to-back games, tripping Jose Rizal, 73-58, then catching up with the Jeans Makers in their 61-54 victory over Cobra.

“It’s quite difficult because as expected, the team is on a rush, somewhat out of focus, thinking about the next game. I’ll have to find the right combination and at the same time, pace their energy. But good thing is we’ve prepared the team for such situations beforehand, “ said Adamson and Freego coach Leo Austria.

Adamson just had a light practice for one hour yesterday, conserving the players’ energy for the tight assignments. Lester Alvarez, who hurt his toe in the JRU game, is doubtful against SSC while Jerick Canada, who sprained an ankle in the Freego match, will be less than 100 percent, according to Austria.

Seeded into the fourth-round of the Sweet 16, San Sebastian will parade its main gunners, MVP Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual. The three are excused from their duties with NLEX, which has a 2 p.m. outing in the D-League.

“They will play for the Stags,” SSC coach Topex Robinson said, expecting a war with AdU. “It’s going to be a tough task considering Adamson’s been playing well right now.”

“We prepared for San Sebastian with or without the trio. If they’ll play, we have to limit the production of Abueva and Pascual,” said Austria.

In the second game at 3:30 p.m., UAAP runner-up Far Eastern battles a Letran side without top scorer Kevin Alas and their coach Louie Alas. Kevin left for the US yesterday to train with the LA Slam, accompanied by his father and the entire Alas family.