Solid Archers, hurting Eagles face off today

Games today  (The Arena)

2 p.m. – Adamson vs San Beda

4 p.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle

MANILA, Philippines - Months after Ateneo reached new heights in the varsity wars with the five-peat, there’s a clear reversal of roles in its showdown with La Salle today with the Blue Eagles depleted in ranks and the Archers coming in with an intact roster. But the storied rivalry is expected to seethe with the same passion, even in the pre-season.

Ateneo, returning to action after taking a one-month break from the tourney to hold their annual summer training in the US and Japan, and La Salle, raring to test its newly assembled unit, take the court at 4 p.m. to dispute the solo lead in Group B of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

Although both are already assured of spots in the quarterfinals with their 6-1 win-loss cards, the two squads are expected to go at it with high intensity that characterizes their usual encounters.

Head to head, La Salle has the numbers of Ateneo in this summer cagefest which the Green Archers hope to exploit to help boost their confidence heading to UAAP Season 76.

Health concerns have been hurting the Blue Eagles, with JP Erram, Von Pessumal, Gwyne Capacio and Kris Porter hobbled by injuries, leaving Kiefer Ravena, Juami Tiongson, Nico Elorde and Frank Golla with the heavy load for the reigning five-peat UAAP champions.

On the other hand, the Green Archers have been quite steady, especially with key recruits like   burly Jason Perkins, defensive specialist Robert Bolick, and point guard Kib Montalbo, as well as sophomore forward Gab Reyes, playing solid ball to complement star Jeron Teng.

Serving as curtain-raiser for the day’s blockbuster schedule is the Group A encounter between Adamson and San Beda at 2 p.m.

Winner of the AdMU-DLSU tussle will meet the loser of the AdU-SBC tiff in the quarterfinal round.

Meanwhile, FEU closed out its campaign with a 73-70 victory over Jose Rizal U in a duel of ousted teams.

Anthony Hargrove fired 16 points while Mike Tolomia, Carl Cruz and Roger Pogoy added 13, 11 and 10, respectively, for the Tams, who outscored the Bombers, 5-1, in the last 1:23 to turn a 68-69 deficit into a four-point victory.

Philip Paniamogan shot 13 points while Marco Balagtas and Nonoy Benavides combined for 23 points for the Bombers.