FilOil: Adamson, FEU revisit UAAP Final Four duel; La Salle faces Letran

The Adamson University Soaring Falcons are out for revenge against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, when these two teams clash at 3:30 p.m. in the 2012 FilOil Flying V Pre-season Tournament Friday at the Arena in San Juan. 

 

The Falcons were the second-seed in last season's UAAP tournament, but the Tams managed to buck the odds and beat Adamson twice, eliminating them, and sending FEU to the Finals for the second year in a row. 

 

These two teams though look much different from the last time they faced off, due to players maxing out their eligibility. 

 

Adamson stalwarts Jerick Canada, Lester Alvarez, Jan Colina and Janus Lozada have all moved on from the team. And in their first FilOil game, big men Rodney Brondial and Eric Camson stepped up to fill the scoring void, combining for 23 points, as well as 17 rebounds, while Jericho Cruz, a transferee from the Rizal Technological University added 10. 

 

The Falcons also got solid numbers against Lyceum from Ryan Monteclaro, who is expected to fill the point guard role with Canada and Alvarez out, eight points, four rebounds and five assists in 21 minutes. 

 

FEU on the other hand, essentially lost an entire five-man unit, due to the graduation of Aldrech Ramos, Pipo Noundou, JR Cawaling, Ping Exciminiano and Jens Knuttel. 

 

A brawl in their last game against Lyceum as well will also keep the Tams shorthanded, as Terrence Romeo and Clarence Foronda must serve a one-game suspension. 

 

Former UAAP MVP RR Garcia will still be there to lead his squad, with former DLSU Green Archer Arvie Bringas serving as his main inside presence.

 

Bringas, a standout in the NCAA Juniors Division with San Sebastian, is norming 12 points and six rebounds in 20 minutes of play. 

 

In the 5:15 p.m. game, De La Salle University seeks their first victory in the tourney, against the Colegio de San Juan De Letran Knights. 

 

The Green Archers managed to make their tournament opener against San Beda competitive late, losing 69-63, but the squad is looking for more improvement under new head coach Gee Abanilla. 

 

Giving DLSU fans some hope was the promising play of rookies Jeron Teng (14 minutes, eight points, two rebounds) and Mac Tallo (eight minutes, three points, three assists). Based on their performance, they could be in line to get more playing time over some of their more experienced teammates.

 

Letran on the other hand will try to move above the .500 line with a win against the Archers. 

 

After barely getting onto the court due to an injury in the tournament's first game, a 55-51 loss to Ateneo, Kevin Alas exploded for a game-high 17 points against the UE Red Warriors, including a stretch where he buried a succession of three-pointers. 

 

Jam Cortes and Kevin Racal will likely give Alas some support down low and on the wing, respectively, for the upcoming NCAA season hosts. 

 

Currently topping the standings are San Beda in Group A, with a 4-0 record, and NU in Group B, thanks to a 3-0 card. — Adrian Dy/RSJ, GMA News