THE De La Salle Green Archers, hardly missing a beat despite the graduation and departure of many of its stars from previous seasons, look to bag their fifth win of the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup when they take on the University of the East Red Warriors today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Archers, under new head coach Louie Gonzales, have found new heroes in newcomers Taane Samuel, Brandon Bates and Miggy Corteza to complement their veterans led by Kib Montalbo, Andrei Caracut and Justin Baltazar.
The Red Warriors are led by old reliables Alvin Pasaol and Philip Manalang. Despite losing to the Gilas Cadets, 63-61, last Tuesday after they let a late 11-point lead slip away in the final minutes, UE has impressed.
The Red Warriors look to bounce back against the Green Archers in the 4:30 p.m. Group A clash. Ateneo, La Salle and Mapua all tote 4-0 won-lost records to pace the group.
In other matches, Letran (2-2) triess to get back on the winning track when it takes on struggling Jose Rizal University in the first seniors game of the day 12:30 p.m.
Letran struggled against a taller and deeper Far Eastern University side in its last outing. Jeff Napa’s souped up Knights squad look to show no mercy against Vergel Meneses’s young Heavy
Bombers who are winless after five starts.
Another team looking to bounce back from a loss to FEU is Adamson University, which, prior to the tussle with the Tamaraws, was riding a two-match win streak.
The Falcons will have to deal with a pesky Arellano University team that even without Kent Salado has impressed with its young line-up that gave Group B pace setter College of St. Benilde fits in their last game.
The Falcons and Chiefs collide at 2:15 p.m.
In the day’s last match, FEU and dangerous University of Santo Tomas face off at 6:30 p.m.
Despite losing Reggie Basibas at the start of the tournament and last year’s star Jordan Sta. Ana a few days ago to another school, Aldin Ayo’s troops have displayed a fighting heart.
The team has also been without center Steve Akomo and forward Embons Bonleon because of academic concerns and injury for the entire summer.