LA SALLE shoots for a second summer crown against a weary San Beda side in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup today.
“It’s not really about defending the title,” said La Salle coach Juno Sauler. “It’s more about working on the things that we need to improve on going into the UAAP.”
The Green Archers and the Red Lions clash in a repeat of last year’s title duel at 5 p.m. at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Far Eastern University and Jose Rizal University fight for third place in the first game at 3 p.m.
Although the five-time NCAA champion Lions look favored with their tested lineup, coach Jamike Jarin said exhaustion has taken its toll on his key players.
The core of the Lions, including standouts Art dela Cruz and Ola Adeogun, have also been playing for Hapee in the PBA D-League.
“You can really see it in the body language of some of our players, they really look tired,” said Jarin. “Of course when you’re tired, your decision-making isn’t good. But we need to grind it out because in two weeks time we’ll also be playing in the NCAA.”
In the last two games, the Lions nearly blew huge double-digit leads in the fourth quarter before slipping past Letran, 75-72, in the quarterfinals and JRU, 81-77, in the semifinals.
The Archers also came off a tight encounter with Perpetual Help, 81-79, in the quarterfinals, but clobbered FEU, 84-71, in the Final Four.
Jeron Teng has been starring for the Archers along with returning guard Thomas Torres.