FilOil Hanes Preseason quarterfinal stage under way

MANILA—Despite sweeping the eliminations, Far Eastern University thinks the real test is just about to start when the Tamaraws take on the dangerous La Salle Green Archers today in the knockout quarterfinals of the FilOil-Flying V Hanes Preseason Premier Cup.

FEU coach Bert Flores said the 8-0 Group B sweep gives the Tamaraws no advantage whatsover in their 4 p.m. duel against the Green Archers  at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

“We were unbeaten in the eliminations, but that means nothing since we don’t have an incentive for it,” said Flores. “So we have to continue playing hard especially on defense.”

The winner will advance to the Final Four versus the survivor of the 11 a.m. duel between UAAP champion Ateneo and Mapua.

NCAA titlist San Beda and University of the Philippines collide at 2 p.m., while Adamson and San Sebastian wrap up the quarterfinal matches at 6 p.m.

Fresh from its upset of rival Ateneo, La Salle showed that it can match up with the tournament favorites with a roster led by returning guard LA Revilla, Joseph Marata and Luigi dela Paz.

“FEU is still a very strong team, its core is still intact,” said La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren. “They are tough and versatile since they can go big and they can also go small [with their lineup].”

The Archers tripped the Blue Eagles, 66-61, to claim the last quarterfinal berth as Revilla, back after two years of absence due to an illness, nailed the clutch baskets in last Sunday’s blockbuster game.

The Lions, bannered by Garvo Lanete and Ola Adeogun, topped Group A due to a superior quotient despite  finishing tied with Ateneo and SSC at 5-2.