Archers-Maroons; Eagles-Gilas up in Filoil opener

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle tests a souped-up University of the Philippines side’s mettle while Ateneo faces Gilas Cadets in a pair of explosive matches kicking off the 12th Filoil Flying V Pre-season Cup at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan today.

With former Perpetual Help ace Bright Akhuetie as spearhead and the likes of JD Tungcab and David Murrell backstopping up the squad, the Maroons seek a strong start in the tournament serving as part of their buildup for the coming UAAP wars.

“We’re going to come out and give it our all against La Salle,” said Akhuetie, raring to strut his stuff after serving his one-year residency with the Diliman-based school.

UP coach Bo Perasol has also expressed confidence for his wards and is looking beyond the pre-season league which features the leading schools from the UAAP and the NCAA and the other top teams in various leagues.

“This is what we have been building the past two years – to get to this position.  What we want to build right now is that chemistry and see how we respond to the various challenges,” said Perasol.

Focus will also be on the 6:30 p.m. match between the Eagles and the Gilas Cadets, to be led by the slam-dunking Kobe Paras, Ricci Rivero, J-Jay Alejandro and Robert Bolick and high school stars Kai Sotto and Carl Tamayo.

The Pre-season Cup serves as part of Gilas Cadets buildup for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.