Eagles, Archers eye last QF slot

MANILA, Philippines -  Ateneo goes all out against unbeaten San Beda today, seeking to nail the last quarterfinal berth and slam the door shut on arch rival La Salle at the close of the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup elims in San Juan.

The Eagles and the Archers tote identical 4-3 cards heading to their respective matches in Group B with the former tangling with the Lions at 5 p.m. after the 3:15 p.m. clash between the Archers and the Letran Knights.

But a victory by Ateneo will net the Eagles the last quarters slot even if La Salle hurdles Letran by virtue of the winner-over-the-other-rule in breaking ties. The Eagles topped the Archers in the group stage.

But La Salle will advance if it beats also-ran Letran and San Beda completes its sweep bid against Ateneo. Aside from the Red Lions, others in the quarters are the Lyceum of the Phl U Pirates (6-2), the Jose Rizal U Bombers (5-3), the Far Eastern U Tams (7-1), the Adamson U Falcons (6-2), the San Sebastian Stags (6-2) and the UP Maroons (5-3).

The quarters will start next Wednesday with the top seed squads in the two groups facing the No. 4 teams and the No. 2 squads tangling with the No. 3 teams.

The knockout semis are set on June 23 while the finals will be played on June 25.

Ateneo missed clinching an outright quarters seat after dropping a 59-60 defeat to ousted Perpetual Help last Wednesday.

And against the roaring Red Lions, the Eagles will have to double their effort to stay in the hunt.