La Salle is a young a team but expect the Green Archers to give the Ateneo Eagles a strong challenge as the two arch rivals try to add another anecdote to their legendary rivalry today in the UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Archers have yet to beat the Eagles in six times they met or since returning from suspension in 2007 but Ateneo coach Norman Black is not taking their rivals for granted when they clash at 4 p.m.
"Playing against La Salle is always tough regardless of what records we both have," said Black, who predicts another down-the-wire showdown.
One thing going for the Eagles, according to Black, is the team’s character which has improved since dropping their opening game to title-favorite Far Eartern University.
He was especially glad in their 68-56 win over University of Santo Tomas.
Expected to lead the Eagles are veterans Nico Salva, Kirk Long, Ryan Buenafe and Justin Chua, who poured in career-highs of 17 points and 11 rebounds against UST, along with rookie Arthur dela Cruz.
But La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren remains unfazed, saying: “We will ready against them.”
Pumaren hasn't beaten Ateneo since the 2007 season when he coached the University of the East Warriors to a 14-game sweep of the elimination round.
The Warriors, however, were swept away by the Archers in the finals in what could go down as the most bizarre ending in recent history.
The last time the Archers beat the Eagles was on Sept. 30, 2007 in a 65-60 win during a do-or-die game for the last finals berth held in front of 23,000 fans.
Pumaren is again banking on Joshua Webb, Simon Atkins, Maui Villanueva, and Sam Marata along with rookies Papot Paredes and Luigi dela Paz.
Jonas Terrado, Manila Bulletin
Subject: Archers, Eagles Renew Rivalry This Saturday 
Sat Jul 24, 2010 7:05 am
