Fresh Filoil champs Archers eye UAAP title repeat

MANILA, Philippines – After topping the Filoil Flying Premier Hanes Cup with a 71-66 victory over its NCAA counterpart San Beda, La Salle sets its sights on the 77th UAAP basketball season unfolding on July 12 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum where it hopes to snare a back-to-back title feat.

"This is part of the preparation for the UAAP and we still have a month to do so," said La Salle coach Juno Sauler moments after he steered his Archers to a league-best third title in the annual tournament serving as warm up to the up-and-coming UAAP season.

And although they won, Sauler said there is still room for improvement.

"We still have a lot of things to improve on," said Sauler, who steered the Taft-based dribblers to collegiate basketball's version of a Grand Slam in reverse after winning the UAAP and PCCL last year and then this tournament.

There are bright spots though.

For one, the Archers will be back with practically the same line up that won last year's crown with Jeron Teng, Almond Vosotros, Jason Perkins, Arnold Van Opstal, Thomas Torres and Norbert Torres all returning to defend their title.

Another big boost for La Salle is the return of lanky big man Yutien Andrada after missing last year with an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear.

The Archers will also parade some interesting rookie recruits in Fil-Ams Julius Sargent and Jahal Tratter and Terence Mustre.

Sargent and Tratter will be eligible to play this season after undergoing residency last year while Mustre is the son of former PBA player Mike.

La Salle opens its season against Far Eastern U while host University of the East clashes with State U in a pair of opening game hostilities.