Unbeaten Lions, Bulldogs eye Filoil Cup semifinals

SAN BEDA and National U seek to extend their unbeaten runs when they shoot for semifinal berths today in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Preseason Premier Cup.

The Lions who topped group A with an 8-0 record battle the St. Benilde Blazers at 12:45 p.m., before the Bulldogs collide with the University of Santo Tomas Tigers.

La Salle tries to ride the momentum of its pulsating victory over defending champion Ateneo against NCAA powerhouse San Sebastian at 6 p.m.

The other quarterfinal clash pits the Blue Eagles and UAAP losing finalist Far Eastern U Tamaraws at 4:15 p.m. The duel will be a rematch of last year’s UAAP finals where Ateneo swept FEU.

The Archers are coming off a 62-59 victory over the Eagles in a game that served as a coming out party for blue-chip rookie Jeron Teng.

La Salle also drew a big game from Norbert Torres, who will have a daunting task against San Sebastian as he is pitted with experienced players Ian Sangalang and Calvin Abueva.

Torres will get help from Yutien Andrada and Papot Paredes, who have been solid defensively in the tournament.

The Tigers caught the last bus to the quarterfinals by rolling past University of the Philippines.

But the Bulldogs offer a tougher challenge with their vastly improving crew led by Bobby Ray Parks.

The Lions-Blazers clash serves as a preview of the NCAA season.