UAAP: Early Ateneo-La Salle duel

MANILA, Philippines—Even if La Salle dropped its first game, Ateneo coach Bo Perasol thinks his rebuilding Blue Eagles might find it hard to measure up to the defending champion Green Archers.

“We have no edge at all against La Salle–in whatever way you look at it, in whatever position,” admitted Perasol. “I don’t think any basketball aficionado will give us a chance against La Salle.”

But when the two fierce rivals clash for the first time this season, it’s the Eagles who will vie to join the early leaders while the Green Archers will try to avoid falling into a 0-2 hole in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament Sunday.

The annual blockbuster is slated early for the first time at 11 a.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Another crowd-drawer pitting Far Eastern University and last year’s finalist University of Santo Tomas is set at 4 p.m. Tickets for the double-header are sold separately.