Archers, Stags clash; Falcons also go for No. 2 seed

La Salle and San Sebastian, powers in different collegiate leagues, collide on Friday for No. 2 ranking in Group A of the Filoil Flying V Preseason men’s tournament at the league’s permanent home in San Juan.

Game time is at 5 p.m. with the winner obviously getting better position in the playoffs and the advantage of facing a lower-ranked opponent.

The Archers and the Stags are at 4-2, with reigning NCAA champion San Beda to top the group no matter the result of its 3:15 p.m. clash with University of Santo Tomas.

Adamson will have the same goal in Group B when the Soaring Falcons, who made a sorry exit in the Final Four of the UAAP last season, slug it out with ousted National University in the 11:45 p.m. game.

An Adamson win would put the Falcons at 5-2 and will win a tiebreaker with idle Letran College as the Falcons beat the Knights, 89-85, in their only elimination round clash.

San Beda is undefeated after six games and will be gunning for a sweep of the classification phase against the Growling Tigers, who have bombed out of further competition and will be coming into this game seeking nothing more than bragging rights.

Far Eastern tangles with also-ran Jose Rizal University at 1:30 p.m. with a win giving the Tamaraws No. 3 seeding in Group B at best as they will win a potential tiebreak with the Falcons, whom they beat, 66-63, in the eliminations.

Aljun Melecio, Andrei Caracut and Justine Baltazar will banner La Salle, while RK Ilagan, JM Calma and Alvin Capobres will provide the firepower for the Stags.

In the lone high school match of the day, the UST Tiger Cubs go up against undefeated Nazareth School of National University Bullpups at 6:45 in the evening.

For the 11-Under Division, Claret faces Xavier at 8 a.m. while San Sebastian battles LSGH at 9 a.m.