LA SALLE and University of the Philippines square off today even as Adamson seeks back-to-back victories against NCAA powerhouse San Sebastian in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup in San Juan.
The Green Archers hope to continue their strong showing with rookies Jeron Teng and Mark Tallo at the helm when they collide with the Fighting Maroons at 5:15 p.m.
The Falcons-Stags duel is set at 3:30 p.m.
Teng and Tallo have shown their immense potential in the Archers’ victories and they will be looking to sustain their solid play against a UP squad coming off its first win of the tournament.
The Maroons crushed the Perpetual Help Altas, 61-47, last Tuesday with veteran Arvin Padilla and rookie Raul Suyod delivering the telling baskets.
“We have a long way to go from achieving the way we really want to play, but we’re getting there,” said UP coach Ricky Dandan.
La Salle coach Gee Abanilla believes the Archers can still play better.
“We are still a work-in-progress,” said Abanilla, who has put emphasis on the defensive side of La Salle’s game. “We have to build our chemistry and consistency.”
The Falcons, powered by Alex Nuyles, Eric Camson and Roider Cabrera, are coming off a 77-59 drubbing of Emilio Aguinaldo College.
“We are still adjusting to each other,” said Adamson coach Leo Austria. “We are not the same team as last year because we lost some of the key players.”
The Stags have lost their first two games of the tournament after arriving from training camp in the United States.
San Sebastian, which fell short against National U, 73-76, last Wednesday, is pinning its hopes on Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang in a bid to arrest its slump. Swingman Ronald Pascual is still recovering from a knee injury. With Randolph Leongson, Contributor