IT’S rivalry on Sunday in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup when Letran takes on San Beda, while Ateneo threatens to blemish La Salle’s unbeaten slate at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Knights, struggling due to the loss of key players and adjusting to a new coach in Jeff Napa, battle the revenge-minded Red Lions at 2 p.m., while the unbeaten Green Archers square off with the Blue Eagles at 4 p.m.
La Salle is currently leading the field with unbeaten 4-0 slate, while Ateneo holds a 3-1 mark but still groping for form after what was close to a three-week layoff as the team wrapped up its academic requirements.
The 2-3 Letran has gotten production from a small core of players in Rey Nambatac, Bong Quinto, Jom Sollano, McJour Luib, JP Calvo and Jerrick Balanza. However it is the first two who have been consistent in their output.
With their starters logging long minutes and not enough bench production, it has taxed Knights that have struggled to replace the output of the graduated Mark Cruz and Kevin Racal. San Beda, the defending tournament champions who tote a 3-1 slate, is looking to somewhat avenge its loss in the last National Collegiaye Athletic Association (NCAA) Finals, where Letran spoiled their bid for a six-peat.
Although Red Lions Head Coach Jamike Jarin has downplayed the match, he no doubt wants his team to send a message to the NCAA defending titlists, as well as the rest of the league that they are out to regain the crown.
The Green Archers have dominated the opposition, scoring 95.5 points a game while holding opponents to 81.0 points.
They have also won the rebound battle 49.7-41.7 and that has allowed them to get out on the fast break where they average 19.5 points an outing.
The biggest reason for their strong standing has been none other than their Cameroonian center Ben Mbala who has controlled that lane with aplomb. The “Kid from Cameroon,” as he calls himself, has posted averages of 23.0 points, 15.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in leading his side. Ateneo has leaned heavily on Thirdy Ravena (11.6 points and 46 rebounds in his last three matches) in its last two victories, however, the Blue Eagles will count on the services of sparkplug CJ Perez, the heady play of Matt Nieto, as well as the strong play of Aaron Black, Adrian Wong, Kris Porter and rookie Tyler Tio to stem the green tide.
In other seniors matches, Emilio Aguinaldo College battles National University at 9:30 a.m., the College of Saint Benilde faces off with Far Eastern University at 11:15 a.m. and Mapua collides with the University of the East at 6 p.m.