Archers, Knights resume quest for Filoil Hanes Cup q’final slots

LA SALLE and Letran shoot for crucial victories against separate opponents today as the race for the remaining quarterfinal berths heats up in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup.

The Green Archers battle the eliminated Mapua Cardinals at 5:15 p.m., while the Knights take on a tougher assignment in the University of Santo Tomas Tigers at 3:30 p.m. at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Struggling squads University of the East and Perpetual Help get the three-game bill going when they clash at 1:45 p.m.

The Archers and the Knights share third  spot in Group A (4-2) behind early quarterfinalists San Beda (7-0) and Ateneo (6-1).

Only the top four teams in each group will advance to the next round.

In Group B, only one quarterfinal berth remains after National U (8-0), Far Eastern U (6-1) and San Sebastian (5-2) secured the first three slots.

La Salle coach Gee Abanilla hopes his Archers have adjusted to the recent return of injured veterans LA Revilla and Yutien Andrada.

“Our chemistry was affected with our veterans coming back in our lineup,” Abanilla said after the Archers struggled in forging a 75-67 win over Perpetual last Friday.

Adjustment hasn’t been a problem for the Knights, who won three straight games despite the absence of injured top scorer Kevin Alas.