Tough road for Green Archers’ defense of PCCL title

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle’s title defense just got more challenging as the Green Archers take on two topnotch Visayas teams at the start of the Elite Eight round of the 2014 National Collegiate Championship this week in Cebu.

“All the Cebu teams are very tough,” said La Salle coach Juno Sauler. “They have a different style of play. They play very hard and very aggressive. They have good shooters and their imports are also good.”

The Archers—who nailed the last Elite Eight berth after topping the Luzon-Metro Manila regionals last Monday—clash with Southwestern University at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, then take on University of Visayas same time on Friday at Cebu City Coliseum.

Although the Archers got the usual numbers from Jeron Teng, the rookies led by Filipino-American guard Joshua Torralba and Cameroonian center Ben Mbala made an impression during the regional games.

“Hopefully because of the games they’ll experience in Cebu and in Manila, they’ll know the system more and familiarize themselves with the other players,” Sauler said during a press conferenceTuesday at ELJ building in ABS-CBN.

Vying to spoil the Archers’ back-to-back title bid are two reigning varsity champions, who are heading the two groups in the Elite Eight.

New UAAP titlist National University leads the Group A cast of La Salle, Arellano and University of San Carlos, while five-time NCAA king San Beda joins Far Eastern University, SWU and UV in Group B.

Teams battle the contenders from the opposing group, before the two squads with the best record tangle in a best-of-three Finals series.

Games will be played in Cebu until Nov. 17, before action returns to Manila on Nov. 21 for the last three Elite Eight playdates.

“We want to continue bringing together the best teams in the league in a structured manner, and provide more opportunities for players to expose their skills,” said Rey Gamboa, chair of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL).