The much-awaited first meeting between bitter arch-rivals Ateneo de Manila and La Salle will finally take place this weekend, putting a bow to the regular season portion of the FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup.
The Green Archers just formalized their entry into the crossover quarterfinals with a 64-45 victory over Letran, a win that towed the University of Santo Tomas along with them to the next round and eliminating the Knights in the process. The campaign has yielded positive signs with their talented and deep roster, namely the development of Jason Perkins and Gab Reyes. They did however suffer a minor blow with Yutien Andrada's knee injury that will sideline him for the season.
Meanwhile, Ateneo spent most of May in the United States and Japan for their annual summer training. Aimed as part of their preparations for the upcoming 76th season of the UAAP, the Blue Eagles only arrived home this past Sunday. Their Premier Cup campaign has been virtually spotless, save for their 63-57 defeat to UST, although they had to deal injuries to key cogs like Poy Erram, Kris Porter and G-Boy Babilonia. Although with a new head coach in Bo Perasol, they still have championship stalwarts Kiefer Ravena, Juami Tiongson and Frank Golla, alongside key newcomers in Vince Tolentino and Chris Newsome.
The rivalry kicks off the second half of their double-header at the San Juan Arena. La Salle remains undefeated against the Blue Eagles in this competition, but those victories remain untranslated into UAAP play, where Ateneo seeks to make history in trying to cop an unprecedented sixth straight UAAP men's basketball crown.
At stake in this year's edition is the seeding of Group B. The winner will get the top-seed in the division and go up against the 4th seed of Group A. The University of East will secured the second seed if Ateneo wins, or third seed if La Salle wins.
Opening the double-header is Adamson against San Beda at 2pm. Both teams have already secured a quarterfinal spot at 5-2, with the winner securing the 3rd seed of Group A, behind an unbeaten National University and a 6-2 Arellano University.
The Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup is presented by Hanes and Vulcaseal/Bostick. The collegiate basketball tournament is co-presented by Master Facial Wash, Starmobile, Meralco and San Mig Coffee. Sponsors include DHL, Nature’s Spring, Reyes BBQ, Banco de Oro and Bayo. Minor sponsors include Molten, Brother’s Burger, San Marino, Bank of the Philippine Islands and Bacchus Energy Drink.
Note: Adamson's Jericho Cruz was named as the Master Game Face Player of the Week for May 15-18. Joining him on the Gatorade First Five are La Salle's Jason Perkins, NU's Alfred Aroga, UE's Ralf Olivarez and San Beda's Art dela Cruz. The Gatorade Defensive Player of the Week is UE's JR Sumido.
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