SSC battles La Salle; Ateneo eyes ‘pre-US’ win

Ateneo, riding high on its conquest of a UAAP rival, seeks to sustain its sharp form when it faces winless Lyceum in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The 4:15 p.m. game with the Pirates will be the last for Ateneo before the defending five-time UAAP champion Eagles leave for the United States for their annual training camp.

A Southwestern squad growing in confidence seeks back-to-back wins against Letran at 12:45 p.m. before La Salle guns for its second victory against San Sebastian at 2:30 p.m.

“It would be nice to get a win before we leave for the US, where we can concentrate on improving further,” said coach Bo Perasol of Ateneo, whose next game will be on June 1 against rival La Salle. “It’s been difficult but we’re learning how to win.”

The Eagles nipped the University of the East Warriors, 77-72, Thursday night. Kiefer Ravena will be looking to sustain his fiery form, after scoring 56 points in the last two games.

The Pirates will also have to worry about Von Pessumal, who shot 5-of-7 triples on his way to 19 points against the Warriors.

The Cobras are riding high on their 74-64 win over the Lyceum Pirates, who are hoping to get more production outside of lead gunners Shane Ko and Dexter Zamora.

Southwestern is actually playing its last game of the tournament against a Letran squad that dropped an 81-88 decision to Ateneo in its debut.

The Stags pushed Ateneo to the limit before losing, 71-75. San Sebastian will rely on veterans Jovit Dela Cruz and Bobby Balucanag.  Cedelf P. Tupas