Keeping the PCCL title bid alive: Archers-Falcons pregame

Coming from a win against the UPHD Altas team last November 10 in Batangas City, the DLSU Green Archers continues to keep its hopes alive as the squad is due to face the AdU Soaring Falcons this coming Thursday, November 15 at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City in this year’s Philippine Collegiate Champion’s League (PCCL).
 
Despite a dismal UAAP season 75 campaign, the AdU Falcons continues to seek grounds in this year’s PCCL tourney.

Younger Archers

 After losing key veterans LA Revilla and Luigi Dela Paz due to injuries, and Archers Jovet Mendoza and Joshua Webb due to graduation, the burden of a win has been passed on to the younger Archers who will attempt to advance in the next stage of the PCCL.

Led by reigning UAAP Rookie of the Year Jeron Teng and veterans Norbert Torres, Arnold Van Opstal and the surprised improved 1-2 punch of Thomas Torres and Almond Vosotros, DLSU will surely give the Falcons a run for its money come game time.

The face-off

Despite losing to the Archers in both UAAP meetings, AdU is seeking to bounce back in this PCCL tourney. The team routed La Finn’s Scholastica La Union, 102-57, last Saturday before the Archers’ encounter with the Altas.

The Green-and-White squad stands in the way of AdU in the team’s bid to enter the next round.

Matchups in the guard-forward position will be unique, as AdU’s Jericho Cruz will try to shut down DLSU’s Jeron Teng. Cruz, who only averaged eight points per outing last UAAP is expected to enounter difficulty against Teng who average more than 16 points and six rebounds last UAAP season.

The coaching staff of both teams are at par as veteran Coach Leo Austria seeks to avenge his win-loss record to DLSU’s Head Coach Gee Abanilla. Abanilla, who is in his first year coaching DLSU has the upper hand against Austria in the UAAP in terms of wins and losses.

The final countdown

As both teams are using this PCCL tourney as a training ground, it is too early to tell which team will come home as victors.