Unbeaten Archers eye No. 6 vs Warriors

MANILA, Philippines – At the rate they’re going, the rampaging La Salle Green Archers enjoy the overwhelming edge against the slumping University of the East Warriors when top meets bottom in today’s UAAP LXXIX men’s basketball tournament at the MOA Arena.

But La Salle coach Aldin Ayo cautions his wards not to take the Warriors, winless in five starts, lightly in their 4 p.m. match.

“Kahit wala pang panalo, iyun, mas nakakatakot nga iyun kasi pag nabuhay iyun, bubulusok yun, dire-diretso (A team longing for its first victory and fighting to stay alive is a very dangerous opponent) so we’re not taking them lightly,” said Ayo.

The DLSU mentor said they are bracing for a literally tough showdown with the Derrick Pumaren-coached Warriors.

“Alam namin kung ano’ng kakayanan ng mga yan, pinahirapan kami ng mga yan literally – physically and mentally – noong pre-season (We know what UE is capable of; they gave us a tough time physically and mentally when we played them in the pre-season) so we have to be ready for that (type of game again),” Ayo said.

For the second time in four days, Ayo is matched up with a Pumaren who like him thrives on a choking press. The Archers previously quashed the challenge of Franz Pumaren and his pressing Adamson Falcons, 91-75.

“We have to play with a sense of urgency and make our move now,” said UE tactician Pumaren, whose squad is on its worst start since 2012.

In the 2 p.m. opener, Ateneo (3-2) shoots for solo second against University of the Philippines (1-4), a team handled by former Eagles coach Bo Perasol and assistant Ricky Dandan.

“I’m sure they’re going to prepare well for us. Coach Bo and coach Ricky know most of our players but on our part, we also know a little bit how coach Bo and coach Ricky think. Of course, they have other coaches in the staff, too, so that’s going to be interesting,” said AdMU’s Sandy Arespacochaga.

“It should be a good match-up. We both know we could match up well with each other. We’ve played them in tune-up games so going up against Ateneo is one of those games that UP needs (to hurdle) because we need to take our standing to another level,” said Perasol, who led AdMU to two Final Four appearances in his three-year stint.