La Salle, San Beda clash for a cause

TWO champions battle on court but unite for a cause.

La Salle and San Beda square off for the first time since their scintillating title romps in a benefit game billed as “Champions for a Cause” on Dec. 7 at 12 noon at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We’re glad to be part of this, not only in the basketball aspect, but in whatever aspect we can do to help,” coach Juno Sauler said a month after his Green Archers captured the UAAP men’s basketball crown.

All proceeds of the match will be donated to the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” according to FilOil Flying V Sports chair Mandy Ochoa in a press conference yesterday at Kamayan Edsa.

The alumni associations of both schools will also donate P1,000 for every point scored by their respective teams.

Even if it’s just an exhibition match, both the Lions and the Archers vow to go all out.

“We treat every game as an important game,” coach Boyet Fernandez said of his Red Lions, who are coming fresh from a fourth straight NCAA title conquest.

UAAP Finals MVP Jeron Teng, Jason Perkins and Arnold Van Opstal will lead the Archers campaign, while Ola Adeogun, Baser Amer and Finals MVP Art dela Cruz banner the Lions.

“How we played in the UAAP is how we’ll play,” said Sauler.

Tickets for the event, a joint effort by MVP Sports Foundation and Filoil Flying V Sports, are available in both schools and Ticketnet. Prices are pegged at P1,000 (patron), P500 (lower box), P300 (upper A), P150 (upper B) and P20 (general admission).