Archers, Eagles face off anew

MANILA, Philippines—Positioned behind two other teams for most of the tournament, fierce rivals Ateneo and La Salle take the spotlight Sunday in another UAAP blockbuster clash crucial to their Final Four bids.   Ateneo shoots for solo second and at least a semifinal playoff against a La Salle side also aiming to pull away from its closest pursuers in their 4 p.m. battle at the Araneta Coliseum.   “I think both teams are flying under the radar so far,” said coach Norman Black as the Blue Eagles try to improve on their 7-2 record.   “Neither one has been really the focus. I think FEU and Adamson have been getting most of the attention.”   National University and the winless University of the Philippines tangle in the first game at 12 noon.   Tickets for each game are sold separately.   The Blue Eagles—banking on the improved plays of Ryan Buenafe and the backcourt leadership of Emman Monfort, Eric Salamat and Kirk Long—head into the game on a five-game winning roll.    The Green Archers, running fourth at 6-3, hope to complete an elimination sweep of the Blue Eagles almost a month after coach Dindo Pumaren’s young wards stunned the back-to-back champions with a 66-63 decision.   “Every game is crucial for us,” said Pumaren. “We’re in fourth place, so we want to distance ourselves from the other teams below us [in the standings].”   Sophomore swingman Joseph Marata, who averaged 9.3 points to lead La Salle in the first round, got sidelined due to flu in the Archers’ 84-63 romp over the Maroons last Thursday.   “He’s OK now, he will play,” assured Pumaren, who’s also relying on Simon Atkins, Maui Villanueva and rookie Almond Vosotros.   The Eagles have been unbeaten since the heartbreaking loss to the Archers.   “Gusto namin makabawi, kasi last time panalo na natalo pa (We want to avenge our loss because we dropped an almost won game),” said Buenafe. “It’s also important for us to win because our target is the top two.”