Explosive Champs League twin bill Monday
La Salle looks set to return to the title round when it goes for an Elite Eight sweep of its group against a depleted Far Eastern University side in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Monday.
The Archers will also try to get back at the Tamaraws, who knocked them out in the UAAP Final Four, in their 4 p.m. duel at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“Our game plan will be based on last season,” said La Salle coach Juno Sauler. “I want them (FEU) to be complete. That’s the only way we’ll learn.”
National University and San Beda battle in the first match of the explosive double-header at 2 p.m., with the two reigning varsity champions hoping to keep their respective title bid going in the nationwide tournament.
With 1-1 records, the Bulldogs and Lions will bow out with another loss as only the top two teams at the end of the round will advance to the best-of-three title series.
The Tamaraws, also 1-1, will have to split their roster as their school-based team in the PBA D-League has the same game schedule.
“We won’t be complete but we still want to be competitive,” said FEU coach Nash Racela.
The Tamaraws won’t disclose where their key cogs will play, including Mac Belo, whose buzzer-beating triple in the UAAP Final Four put an end to the Archers’ title defense.
Last Friday, Belo again powered the Tamaraws by scoring a team-high 23 points in an 84-72 win over NCAA runner-up Arellano.
The Archers, meanwhile, stayed as the only unbeaten team at 3-0 after Jeron Teng led them past NCAA champion Lions, 61-56.
