MANILA, Philippines -- University of the East tries to boost its quarterfinal bid, on Wednesday, against a National U side fresh from its first triumph in the FilOil-Flying V First Five Pre-Season Invitational Cup.

Coach Lawrence Chongson thinks more players should back up the overworked tandem of Paul Lee and James Martinez when his Warriors collide with the Bulldogs at 5 p.m. at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

?I think [our rookies] have potential,? said Chongson. ?It?s just a matter of who would mature first. It?s also a matter of who gets the system first.?

Adamson aims to rebound from its recent loss to NU against the winless St. Benilde at 1 p.m., before struggling Letran takes on Perpetual at 3 p.m.

The Warriors have relied mostly on the veteran duo of Lee and Martinez to bail them out in four victories in seven outings to rank third in Group B.

Lee unloaded 34 points against the Jose Rizal Bombers last Saturday, but missed a potential game-winning basket for the Warriors for a 93-92 double overtime heartbreaker.

The Bulldogs hope to build on their first triumph in four games in Group B.

Emmanuel Mbe, a 6-foot-7 rookie from Cameroon, teamed up with Kokoy Hermosisima to power the Bulldogs to a slim 67-65 victory over the Falcons last Saturday.

?It?s like the load off our backs was taken off,? said new Bulldogs coach Eric Gonzales. ?But I keep on emphasizing discipline to them.?

The Falcons gun for their fourth victory against the Blazers, who remain winless in four outings in Group B of the tournament backed by Mighty Bond Extreme, Total Phils. Corp., San Marino Corned Tuna, Accel, Filoil Gas Company, Flying V and Hanesbrands.

The Knights try to improve on their 1-3 Group A record versus the Altas, who dropped their first three assignments.

Idle Ateneo and University of the Philippines already clinched the first two quarterfinal berths in Group A.

Only the top four teams in each group will advance to the next round.