MANILA, Philippines - Competition is again expected to be fierce with cage fans bracing for another exciting face-offs between their favorite squads in the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup firing off April 14 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Clashes between defending champion Ateneo and two-time Filoil Flying V titlist De La Salle University have always been a much-awaited event in the premier pre-season tournament and so do the games pitting old rivals San Beda and Letran, and for the past few years, even San Sebastian College.
The Blue Eagles won last year’s crown by beating the Lions, and with an almost intact roster, the Katipunan squad is tipped to return for a crack at back-to-back title.
Greg Slaughter, Ateneo’s big man, is again expected to dominate in his final year along with Kiefer Ravena, Nico Salva, Justin Chua, Juami Tiongson and Tonino Gonzaga and the comebacking Ryan Buenafe.
‘’Greg (Slaughter) is a huge part of our team. When he’s around, he makes the team and his teammates a whole lot better with his inside play,’’ said Ateneo coach Norman Black.
The four-time UAAP champs lost key players Eman Monfort, Kirk Long and Bacon Austria to graduation, but with Slaughter and Ravena around, the Eagles remain the team to beat in the three-month long tournament presented by Bostik Phils. Inc.
Black, in his final year as Ateneo coach, boasts of a talented roster, which also includes top acquisitions Gwynne Capacio and former Archer Nico Elorde.
While it didn’t exactly live up to expectations last year, De La Salle remains a threat with their run-and-gun type of basketball.
New coach Gee Abanilla, in fact, exudes confidence this early in the season.
“It’s a new start for the team. We’re taking it one step at a time in terms of our preparations, but our goal of course is to get back to winning more games and hopefully return to the Final Four of the UAAP,’’ said Abanilla.
He added the La Salle sports community is looking forward to unveiling another potential superstar in rookie Jeron Teng.
A former RP Youth team member, Teng once scored 104 points while playing for Xavier High School in 2010, and is expected to also light up the boards in the Filoil Flying V tourney.
“He’s (Teng) the kind of player our team needs. He’s talented and versatile with his size. No doubt he’ll help us in a big way,” said Abanilla.
Another key acquisition is Mark Tallo, who packed his bags from Ateneo to the Taft-based Green Archers.
The Green Archers will play without Simon Atkins, who has graduated, but will have veterans Sam Marata, Norbert Torres, Almon Vosotros, Papot Paredes and Oda Tampus to keep La Salle in the thick of the fight.
Another major factor for La Salle is when it lured B-Meg coach Tim Cone to sit as team consultant.
On the other side of the collegiate basketball fence, San Beda is king of the hill, having won a second straight NCAA title last season, its fifth in six years.
But the Red Lions face an uncertain season following the departure of key players and a rash of suspension sparked by a controversial fracas late late last year.
Garvo Lanete, Dave Marcelo and Sudan Daniel have used up their playing years, while Semerad siblings Anthony and David have joined the Ateneo squad, leaving only a small core to carry the fight for the Red Lions.
Despite a looming suspension, Frankie Lim remains at the helm while his case is on appeal and will try to get the most out of a depleted roster headed by Baser Amer, Rome Dela Rosa, Jake Pascual, Kyle Pascual, Anjo Caram, Mar Villahermosa and the returning Jaypee Mendoza.
Rookies Ola Adeogun and Julius Armon, who are facing a year-long ban in the NCAA, will beef up the roster.
“Most of our key guys are gone and we’re starting a new process of rebuilding again by getting new talents to replace our core for several years. It also helps that at least, we still have some of the guys back,” said Lim.