Eagles, Archers face separate rivals in Flying V

MANILA, Philippines - The pre-season Filoil Flying V Premier Cup basketball tournament gets underway today with Ateneo and La Salle making their debut against separate foes.

The La Salle Green Archers, still smarting from missing the UAAP Final Four last season, unveil their young lineup anchored on veterans Jeron Teng and Thomas Torres along with talented Cameroonian Ben Mbala.

 Under new head coach Aldin Ayo and with some new talent, La Salle has what it takes to compete for the UAAP men’s basketball title but has yet to learn the pressure defense that their coach perfected in Letran where he led the Knights to the NCAA crown last year.

Standing in their way in their Filoil debut are the Franz Pumaren-coached Adamson Falcons, beefed up by Fil-Ams Jerrick Ahanmisi, younger brother Maverick of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painter in the PBA.

Adamson and La Salle tangle at 10 a.m. while Ateneo, back after a two-year absence from the tournament, take on the Derrick Pumaren-mentored UE Red Warriors, one of the league’s exciting squads from last season, at 2 p.m. 

Like the Green Archers, the Blue Eagles, under coaching consultant and national team head coach Tab Baldwin, will parade a youthful lineup bereft of many of last years stars. Their Premier Cup roster only lists John Apacible, Aaron Black, Chibueze Ikeh, Matt Nieto, and Vince Tolentino who were on last season’s roster.

“Right now, we’ve split our players into as many leagues as we can play,” said assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga. “We want to give as much exposure to everyone on our roster including Team B.”

Ateneo’s Juniors squad, the Blue Eaglets take on reigning NCAA Juniors champions San Beda at 12 noon. The Blue Eaglets will have 6’9” center Kai Sotto, son of pro player Ervin, on the lineup.

Tickets to the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup are available at the gate of the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan or at all Ticketnet branches.