4 matches usher in Filoil KO series

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo takes on Far Eastern U while San Beda battles St. Benilde in two of four tough matches kicking off the knockout phase of the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan today.

The Eagles hope to come out strong from a 59-62 loss to arch rivals La Salle Archers last Saturday as they gun for a berth in the semis against the Tams in the 4:15 p.m. match.

The Red Lions, on the other hand, square off with the Blazers at 1:45 p.m., seeking to keep their win run going after sweeping the elims.

Five UAAP teams and three squads from the NCAA are slugging it out for semis spots with National U, the other unbeaten squad, colliding with University of Santo Tomas at 2:30 p.m.

The Archers mix it up with the San Sebastian Stags in the 6 p.m. main game in the seniors division of the league presented by Bostik Phils., Inc., in cooperation with Total Phils. Corp., and sponsored by Vulcaseal, KIA Motors, TMS Ship Agencies. Inc., Meralco, NLEX Road Warriors, Bayo, Molten, BDO,  Nature’s Spring and Oxycan. 

For their sweep of their respective groups, the Lions and the Bulldogs are fancied to get past the Blazers and Tigers although a pair of reversals is not ruled out.

San Beda dumped Letran, 76-56, to cap its elims romp which NU matched in Group B before the Bulldogs toughened up with a two-week training stint in China.

Ateneo, meanwhile, will have its hands full with Greg Slaughter still a doubtful starter due to an ankle injury.

The Blazers ousted the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 67-63, to make it to the quarters, while the Stags beat the Tams, 81-70. to clinch the No. 2 spot. After dropping its first two games, SSC went on a roll, sweeping its next six but will be taking on a surging La Salle side.

“We have to be really focused against the Stags.  They are a very dangerous opponent,” said La Salle coach Gee Abanilla.