Blockbuster Ateneo-La Salle tiff today

MANILA—How a storied varsity rivalry will play out this season may be gleaned when they clash in the FilOil-Flying V Hanes Preseason Premier Cup today.

Both fresh from overseas training, Ateneo and La Salle clash at 4 p.m. in a match that means more than just a tuneup for the long-time hardcourt foes for the coming UAAP campaign.

“We need to win to have a shot at the quarterfinals,” said La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren. “But since it’s an Ateneo-La Salle game, I think both of us just want to win. It’s like a championship every time we play.”

Tickets to the blockbuster game at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan are sold separately from the other Group A duel between NCAA champion San Beda and the University of Santo Tomas at 12:30 p.m.

To underscore the drawing power of the first Ateneo-La Salle duel of the season, tickets to the lower box and ringside sections of the venue sold out as early as Monday.

Adamson and Jose Rizal U collide in the lone Group B match at 10:25 a.m.

Both the Blue Eagles, who are bidding for a fourth straight UAAP crown this year, and the Green Archers arrived recently from their annual summer training in the United States.

“Normally in summer tournaments, you want to give your best every game but you also want to develop your players,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black.

Bannered by Kirk Long, Nico Salva and rookie stars Kiefer Ravena and Greg Slaughter, the Eagles built a 5-1 record to earn a quarterfinal berth in Group A, along with idle San Sebastian (5-2).

The Archers—also boasting prized recruits led by 6-foot-8 Arnold Van Opstal and 6-foot-6 Norbert Torres—tote a 3-3 card and remain in the running for the last two quarterfinal berths like San Beda (4-2), National University (4-3) and University of Santo Tomas (3-3).

Unbeaten Far Eastern University (8-0) leads the Group B quarterfinalists composed of Adamson (6-1), Mapua (5-3) and University of the Philippines (5-3).

“We need to win and take care of business,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim. “They (Tigers) go for a free-wheeling style, so we have to play great man-to-man defense.”