Eagles rip Archers, pull out of league

Games tomorrow (Filoil Flying V Arena)

2 p.m. – AU vs UST

4 p.m. – UE vs AdU

MANILA, Philippines - Injury-plagued Ateneo finally put an end to their head-to-head woes against rivals La Salle in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup, hacking out a 78-70 win then decided to pull out of the summer tourney yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.

Kiefer Ravena sizzled with 31 points as the 10-man Blue Eagles beat the Archers for the first time in seven meetings in pre-season tourney and top Group B with 7-1 at the end of the elims.

The Eagles are supposed to lead the quarterfinalists for the bracket but with JP Erram (MCL), Kris Porter (knee), Gideon Babilonia (shoulder), Gwynne Capacio (hamstring) and Von Pessumal (fractured finger) out on injuries and the rest hurting one way or another, the reigning UAAP titlists decided to call it a day already.

“We have decided to pull out of the league at this point basically because of injuries,” Ateneo athletic director Ricky Palou announced. “The coaching staff feels we can’t play with 10 players all the time as it might lead to more injuries for them so we decided not to continue.”

Filoil chairman Boysie Henares and tournament director Joey Guillermo said they were saddened by this development but they were accepting Ateneo’s decision.

“Hopefully this won’t happen again because it won’t look good (for the tournament). But we’ve talked to management and they’re accepting it (withdrawal),” said Henares.

“Basically this pre-season tournament is a venue for tuneups and we have to respect that these teams have their mother leagues, which is important to them, and we just want to help them get ready. But I don’t think at this point we should feel bad; we’re saddened but we don’t feel bad about Ateneo,” said Guillermo.

As to whether a sanction is forthcoming, Henares said: “As of the moment, we don’t have any plans and there’s no stipulation (about penalties for pullouts). We’ll just have to meet and discuss what the consequences (if any).”