Top teams vie in Filoil Invitational Cup

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s top collegiate teams show how far they have gone in their buildup for next school year’s hostilities in the 2010 Filoil Flying V Basketball Invitational Cup which starts next month at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Defending champion Far Eastern U, last year’s runner-up University of the East and pre-tournament picks Ateneo de Manila, San Sebastian College, San Beda and Jose Rizal University loom as the teams to watch out in the premier pre-season league organized by Filoil Flying V with presentor Mighty Bond Extreme, major sponsors Total Phils., Inc., CDO Foodsphere, Hanesbrands, the official outfitter and minor sponsors BDO, Jimm’s Coffee, Pagcor Sports, Zest Air, Bayo and Bacchus Energy Drink.

But nobody can discount the rest of the field, as most teams from both the UAAP and the NCAA have gone on serious retooling for this year’s collegiate wars.

The FEU Tamaraws retained the core of their fighting unit from last year, most notably RR Garcia, Jens Knuttel, Reil Cervantes and Pippo Noundou.

The Tamaraws also drew added firepower from new acquisitions Terrence Romeo, Anton Bringas, Clarence Foronda, Anjo Latonio and Jaymon Eguiluz even as they await two more key players in JR Cawaling and Aldrech Ramos, who are currently on loan with the Smart-Gilas squad.

So potent is FEU’s line-up that UE coach Lawrence Chongson was quoted as saying that “he wouldn’t be surprised” if the Tamaraws repeat as champions.

But the Warriors, who made heads turn last year with then rookie coach Chongson surprising everyone by steering his wards to the finals, are as dangerous as they come.

With Paul Lee, James Martinez and Paul Zamar finally coming of age and toughened by their stints in the Philippine Basketball League, the Warriors will be tough to beat.

    UE actually lost at least five key players to graduation, including big men Narciso Llagas, Elmer Espiritu and Val Acuna, but actually got even bigger with prized finds Kit Rosapa (6-6), half-Korean Sam Razon (6-5) and former UE junior Adie Santos (6-4) and quicker with former Lycean Biboy Enguio joining the fray.

    San Beda College, meanwhile, will always be a contender, more so since most of its key players have stayed on. Always a threat inside with American Sudan Daniel patrolling the middle, the Red Lions remain explosive with a more mature Jake Pascual, Dave Marcelo, Garvo Lanete and Mar Villahermosa reprising their roles.

    San Beda will also parade new finds Fil-Aussie twins Anthony and David Semerad, who both towers at 6-5.

     “This season, Daniels will have a bigger role to play, but I think it’s time for the others to step up as well,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim, who will bring his team for a training stint in Los Angeles in the US after three games into the tournament.   They will be back after three weeks to resume their campaign.

(up next: San Sebastian, JRU, Ateneo and La Salle).