ATENEO will be seeking payback when it tangles with longtime rival De La Salle in an exhibition match serving as a sequel to their highly-successful `Dream Game’ last year.
The Blue Eagles and Green Archers square off on June 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena in what promises to be another fun match dubbed `Blue vs. Green’ featuring players from both schools now playing in the PBA.
The Blue Eagles have tapped the services of rookie pros Chris Tiu and Eman Monfort as it seeks to get even with the Archers following the 117-104 drubbing they suffered a year ago.
Don Allado poured in 23 points in leading La Salle to the 13-point win during the game that saw the two-time former UAAP MVP doing his own rendition of `Tebowing’ at midcourt shortly after the match.
Allado will once again lead La Salle’s side that also has rookie Simon Atkins in its roster.
Coaching De La Salle is Air21 mentor Franz Pumaren, while Talk `N Text deputy Sandy Arespacochaga will be calling the shots for Ateneo, which was handled by Norman Black last year.
“I think this is a kind of exhibition game held between rival schools that will be good eventually not just for the PBA, but for college tournaments as well,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud during the formal launching of the event at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“We draw our players after all, from this rank. Then they play in the D-League, and eventually in the pro league. We’re very happy to have these kinds of `Dream Games.’
Also suiting up for La Salle are Mike Cortez, RenRen Ritualo, Joseph Yeo, JV Casio, Rico Maierhofer, Carlo Sharma, Mac Cardona, Ryan Arana, TY Tang, and Willy Wilson.
Comprising Ateneo are Wesley Gonzales, Rich Alvarez, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, JC Intal, Doug Kramer, Rico Villanueva, Paolo Bugia, Noy Baclao, Eric Salamat, and Magnum Membrere.
“I really believe the timing of `Blue vs. Green’ is just right, especially now there are more La Salle and Ateneo players in the PBA compared to years before,” said Kerwin Yu of the organizing Mastermind Entertainment.
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