"Pumaren Derby" to decide last FilOil quarterfinalist

By Ivan Saldajeno

SAN JUAN, MM--Adamson and UE fight for the last seat in the FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup quarterfinals on Sunday, and it's no ordinary Adamson-UE game.

The 3:15 p.m. showdown will pit off three Pumaren brothers, Derrick and Dindo, who are taking charge of the Red Warriors, and Franz, the newly-appointed gaffer for the Soaring Falcons.

"It's gonna be a big game. [Adamson is] a UAAP team, and we just have to be anticipating their veteran foreign player, Papi Sarr. He's playing well," said Coach Derrick ahead of the clash.

However, recent history could side Coach Franz and Adamson,

"Tinambakan kami," Coach Derrick relayed how the game between Adamson and UE in the Fr. Martin's Cup ensued.

The older Pumaren, on the other hand, jokingly added another stipulation to the game.

"Kung sino ang matatalo, yun ang magpapakain," Coach Derrick bared the twist.

The winner of the game between Adamson and UE, both tied at 3-3, will be assured of at least the fourth seed in Group B. However, UE can climb to third if they win and Ateneo, currently at 4-2, loses to old rival San Beda in an early seniors tip-off at 11:15 a.m. by virtue of the tiebreaker, a 93-91 overtime shocker by UE on April 30.

[Related Story: UE bucks slow start, outpoints Ateneo in clutch for FilOil opener win]

In the earlier seniors games, Arellano and NU gun for the top seed of Group A at 1:30 p.m., while La Salle goes for a sweep of the group stage against old rivals Letran in the nightcap at 5 p.m.

A juniors action between Ateneo and La Salle-Zobel will kick things off at 9:30 a.m.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno