Tigers out to give UST Flying V title

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas is so serious of its UAAP campaign that it decided to join the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Premier Cup for the very first time since 2006.

“We hope the pre-season games will help us in our preparation for the UAAP,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio in Filipino. “Of course, we want to come up with a good showing in line with UST’s celebration of its 400th year.”

With a talent-laden roster, the Tigers are actually capable of pulling the rug from under the favorites in the tournament firing off April 9 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Jeric Teng, Jeric Fortuna, Chris Camus, Clark Bautista, Melo Afuang and Aljon Mariano make up the core of this year’s squad made more formidable by the acquisition of UAAP juniors MVP Kevin Ferrer.

Add Cameroonian recruit Kareem Abdul, who has completed his residency requirements, the Tigers are once again ready to roar in the tournament presented by Mighty Bond Extreme Elastoseal in cooperation with Total, ABS-CBN and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

At the other end of the collegiate fence, Jose Rizal University is also out to prove itself after losing the core of its last year’s squad. 

Gone are Marvin Hayes, JR Bulangis and John Montemayor, who have graduated and Cameroonians Nchotu Njei and Joe Etame, who were kicked out after violating team rules.

But second-year coach Vergel Meneses is left with a promising cast led by Raycon Kabigting, John Lopez and Nate Matute and a gutsy bunch of rookies in Philip Paniamogan, Romnick Marquez, Ronnel Carampil and Jay-Ar Gaco.

“Hopefully we can continue to improve as a team despite losing a number veteran players,” Meneses said.

Meanwhile, tickets for the 2011 Filoil Flying V

Pre-Season Premier Cup, backed by Molten, TMS Ship Agencies, Inc.,Cobra Energy Drink, Hanes, San Marino, BDO, Oxican, Gatorade, RCBC, Bacchus Energy Drinka and RX 93-9, will be available at SM malls. For details, contact 470-2222.