San Sebastian, FEU try to oust PCCL foes

MANILA, Philippines – San Sebastian hopes to take advantage of a spent Adamson squad, while Far Eastern University tries to oust a depleted Letran lineup in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Thursday.

The Stags, the varsity heavyweight boosted by NCAA MVP Calvin Abueva, kick off their bid against the Falcons at 1:30 p.m. at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Led by last year’s UAAP MVP RR Garcia, the Tamaraws are also favored in the 3:30 p.m. duel where the Knights have to do without head coach Louie Alas and his son and top gunner Kevin.

Letran’s father-and-son tandem left for the United States yesterday where Kevin was invited for a one-month training with the Los Angeles Slam in the American Basketball Association.

“I think the team will manage,” said the elder Alas after his Knights ousted La Salle, 66-61, in the stepladder tournament Tuesday.

The Falcons, who played back-to-back games in the PCCL and the PBA D-League Tuesday, also advanced by downing Jose Rizal University, 73-58.

“We’ll do the same thing again [today],” said Adamson coach Leo Austria, who, together with his core players, will rush anew to the PBA D-League after their match against the Stags.

“We’re just running the same system so it doesn’t matter which team we play.”

Adamson’s Kenyan center Austin Manyara buried 16 points against the Bombers as the Falcons also drew solid games from Janus Lozada, Jerick Cañada and Jan Colina.