FilOil Hanes Cup: Eagles, Archers tap new talents

WITH NEW talents infused in their respective squads, Ateneo and La Salle renew their rivalry in the 2012 FilOil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup opening next month at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Blue Eagles will be gunning for a second straight crown with a team still built around big man Greg Slaughter and ace guard Kiefer Ravena who will have new key backups in Gwynne Capacio and Nico Elorde to help compensate for the departure of Eman Monfort, Kirk Long and Bacon Austria.

Nico Salva will still be around for Ateneo, along with Justin Chua, Juami Tiongson, Tonino Gonzaga and Ryan Buenafe, who will make his first appearance for the Eagles in more than a year in the three-month tournament presented by Bostik Philippines Inc.

“Greg (Slaughter) is a huge part of our team,” said Black, who is on his final season as coach. “He makes the team and his teammates a whole lot better with his inside play.”

The Archers, on the other hand, will unveil the most sought-after high school prospect this season in Jeron Teng, a former RP Youth ace who once exploded for 104 points while playing for Xavier High School two years ago.

“He’s (Teng) the kind of player our team needs,” said La Salle coach Gee Abanilla, who will be calling the shots for the Archers for the first time in this tournament.

“He’s talented and versatile with his size.”

Mark Tallo also joined La Salle from Ateneo, linking up with veterans Sam Marata, Norbert Torres, Almon Vosotros, Papot Paredes and Jarelan Tampus.

The Archers’ coaching staff also got a boost when it lured multititled PBA coach Tim Cone to sit as team consultant.

“It’s a new start for the team,” said Abanilla. “We’re taking it one step at a time in terms of our preparations, but our goal of course is to get back to winning more games and hopefully return to the Final Four of the UAAP.”