Tams battle Falcons sans 2 mainstays

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U guns for a second straight victory against an unbeaten Adamson sans its two key players in today’s resumption of the 2012 Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Tams will be playing the Falcons in their 3:30 p.m. encounter minus Terrence Romeo and John Clarence Foronda, who will serve out their one-game suspensions assessed on them for disqualification foul they committed in the fight-marred 72-50 rout of the Lyceum Pirates Monday.

Romeo and Foronda were just two of the three individuals sanctioned by the league after it also banned a fan, Andrei Mendoza, from entering the venue for the rest of the tournament for punching FEU’s Gryann Mendoza without provocation during the melee.

Another win will push FEU closer to Group B leader National U, currently unscathed with a 3-0 (win-loss) record, although it is expected to face roughsailing against an Adamson squad that is also seeking a second win in a row following an 80-64 win also at the expense of Lyceum.

“Adamson is always a tough match up for us, it got tougher because we’ll be playing without two of our key players,” said FEU coach Robert Flores in Filipino.

Letran and La Salle, meanwhile, collide in Group A action of this event presented by Bostik Phils., Inc. in cooperation with Total Phils. Corp with major sponsors Vulcaseal, Kia Motors, TMS Ship Agencies, Inc., Bayo, Molten, BDO, Nature’s Spring and Oxycan.

The Louie Alas-mentored Knights have split their first two outings while the Gie Abanilla-coached Archers are looking for a first victory after dropping their initial assignment when the two clash at 5:15 p.m.

The San Beda Lions, the reigning NCAA champions, lead Group A with a pristine 4-0 record followed by the Ateneo Eagles, the defending UAAP and league champions, with a 3-1 slate.

The absence of Romeo and Foronda will leave FEU relying heavily on RR Garcia and youthful Cris Tolomia from the backcourt and La Salle transferee Arvie Bringas up front against an already formidable and seasoned frontline by Adamson.