Tams seek win No. 5 vs Saints

Games today (The Arena)

12:30 p.m. – St. Clare vs FEU

2:15 p.m. – HTC vs CEU

4 p.m. – SSC vs NU

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U seek to extend its run to five games today while two other squads, Centro Escolar U and National U, stake their clean slates against separate rivals in seniors play of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

Setting the pace in Group B, the Tamaraws try to sustain their charge against the St. Clare College Saints (1-2) in the 12:30 p.m. that kicks off seniors action.

The CEU Scorpions, the leaders in Group C, gun for their fourth consecutive win in their 2:15 p.m. duel with winless Holy Trinity College. NU Bulldogs, the former champions, look to go 2-0 against San Sebastian (2-2) in another Group C encounter at 4 p.m.

FEU coach Nash Racela hopes his wards continue to show good form, giving particular notice on big man Russel Escoto, who is coming back from a knee injury that sidelined him the past season in the UAAP.

“He is important to our plans. We don’t want to rush him. If he can regain his old form he will help us in our options and our rotation as we do not have too many bigs to count on,” said Racela.

 The Saints broke into the win column via a 111-99 win over the Phl Youth Under 18 team and would like to follow this up with an upset versus the Tams.

CEU survived a potential game-winning triple attempt by JR Gallarza the other day to keep its record unblemished. The Scorpions are somehow weary from a busy summer slate, campaigning in the PBA D-League under the Café France banner as well as the Fr. Martin Cup, outside the Filoil.

 â€œNo excuses, though. We were bent on doing this as part of our preparations,” said Macaraya.

Despite missing vital cogs like Ray Parks, Jean Mbe, Dennice Villamor, and Robin Roño, among others, the NU Bulldogs still hurdled their first assignment, routing the HTC Wildcats, 106-67.

“We showed good form in our opening win,” said NU mentor Eric Altamirano, who banks on Glenn Khobuntin, Gelo Alolino, Troy Rosario, and Alfred Aroga to step up for the squad. â€œThe challenge is to sustain that and to get our bench to contribute consistently.”

Their opponent, the Stags, arrested a two-game slide with a win also at the expense of the HTC Wildcats. SSC coach Topex Robinson said they are using the tourney to expose the young ones and hope to pick up wins along the way.

 â€œWhat is important for me is to give the younger players their minutes so they get a taste of big time competition. That will prepare us for the NCAA,” he said. 

Also up are the women’s match between FEU and UE at 10:30 a.m. and the juniors tussle in the nightcap between San Beda and De La Salle Zobel at 5:45 p.m.