NU reloads for tougher Filoil league

MANILA, Philippines - National U will be without three mainstays of last year’s champion team. But the Bulldogs remain confident of their chances as they gear up for the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup firing off next month.

Choice Ignacio and Ajeet Singh are both out of the roster, and so does injured Cameroonian Henri Betayene. But two-time UAAP MVP Ray Parks is raring to lead the team again, hoping to be in top shape after sustaining a hand injury.

Backing Parks are former Mapua Red Robins gunner JJ Alejandro and 6-6 Cameroonian forward-center Alfred Arogo. Alongside the pair of 6-7 forward-centers Emmanuel Mbe and Troy Rosario, the trio will form one of the tallest line-ups in college basketball.

The Filoil Flying V Premier Cup unfolds April 13 at the Filoil Flying V San Juan Arena.

Providing experience and poise for NU are fourth year forward Glenn Khobuntin and Kyle Neypes.

The new additions will ensure a deep rotation for the Bulldogs that went as much as 12 deep in last year’s UAAP season.

“Just like last year, we want to use this tournament to polish our game,” said NU head coach Eric Altamirano. “We try to give our new guys more exposure so they will get used to playing with our older players.

“But I’m not really sure how we will do this year but hopefully we will still be playing until the first week of June,” he added.

Parks remains optimistic of the Bulldogs’ title-retention drive. 

“I think we’re all a year older and wiser. Hopefully our shortcomings will make us hungrier for some championships this year,” said Parks. 

With all teams beefing up their line-ups, Altamirano expects all schools to take the same approach for the Filoil tourney.

“I expect all the teams to be tough this year,” said Altamirano. “But at least for this tournament, we are more focused with how we will play as a team and if we can execute the things that we worked on in the off season.”