MANILA, Philippines?For the first time in a decade, De La Salle University treads a crucial stretch in its UAAP campaign without head coach Franz Pumaren.

But the multi-titled La Salle mentor thinks that combining the knowledge of his loyal deputy and the leadership of his reliable point guard can make up for his absence when the Green Archers shoot for a semifinal berth against the hard-pressed University of Santo Tomas Tigers on Thursday.

?I think they?ll be in safe hands,? said Pumaren before leaving for Iran last Monday to guide the Nokia Philippine Youth Team in the FIBA-Asia Junior Men Championship from Aug. 28 to Sept. 5.

Pumaren has put his trust on assistant coach Jack Santiago and veteran guard JV Casio when the defending champion Archers clash against the Tigers in the men?s basketball competition at 4 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

?He?s (Santiago) been my assistant since 2002, he knows very well what to do,? said Pumaren.

?I think my boys are really prepared. Even if I?m not around, my veterans can lead this team. JV knows me very well. He knows what I want and he?s there to help this team. He?s my extension inside the court. I?m confident that my coaches and players can pull through.?

The Far Eastern University Tamaraws, who derailed the Archers? semifinal bid last Saturday with an 83-75 triumph to forge a tie for second at 8-3, will similarly vie for a Final Four spot against the National University Bulldogs at 2 p.m.

Only the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles have secured a semifinal berth with a league-leading 11-1 record.

The fourth-running University of the East Warriors (7-5) and the fifth-ranked Tigers (5-6) are the two other teams still in contention for the next round.

?Our game against La Salle isn?t just crucial; every quarter against La Salle is crucial,? said coach Pido Jarencio, whose Tigers lost to the Archers by the slimmest of margins, 65-64, in their first encounter.

?There?s no advantage [even if Pumaren isn?t around] because it?s the players who will play,? said Jarencio. ?Their system is already there. It will depend on the players? will to win. Whether he?s here or not, I think it will just be the same.?

FEU coach Glenn Capacio stressed that his Tamaraws do not have an easy task as well against the lowly Bulldogs, who bowed out of contention at 2-9.

?We lost to them,? said Capacio, reminding the Tamaraws? stunning loss to the Bulldogs, 69-61, in the first round.