Undefeated La Salle, FEU clash for Filoil finals berth

La Salle’s Michael Phillips against FEU defenders. –FILOIL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—La Salle is putting its undefeated record on the line against gritty Far Eastern University in an all-UAAP Filoil EcOoil Preseason Cup semifinals match on Thursday.

The Green Archers have not lost a single game in their nine-game stint in the preseason tournament, with their latest win coming at the expense of College of St. Benilde, 83-74.

Both teams La Salle and FEU bowed out in the semifinals of last year’s UAAP Final Four playoffs.

For FEU head coach Olsen Racela, whatever the results against the streaky Green Archers will be beneficial for FEU come UAAP Season 85.

“We’ll go as far as we can. Every game is a quality game to prepare us for next season. Today, UP. Next, La Salle. These are quality games to help us prepare,” Racela said after upsetting the defending UAAP champion University of the Philippines, 72-63, on Tuesday.

La Salle coach Derick Pumaren, meanwhile, is reminding his players of what kind of mentality he wants from them moving forward: no hero ball.

“I keep telling my boys, ‘I don’t need any Superman out there’. I just want them to play what they are supposed to play and do what they are capable of. I’m not asking anyone to be Superman, if they are limited to only doing one thing, then they should stick to that,” Pumaren said after La Salle’s game in the PBA D-League.

The Green Archers-Tamaraws’ duel is slated at 5 p.m., after the NU vs. Adamson bout at 3 p.m., at San Juan Arena.