Filoil teams to lean on seasoned cagers

MANILA, Philippines - A trio of fourth year players are expected to lead their teams to glory in this year’s Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup with their high-scoring ways.

UE’s Roi Sumang, seventh in last year’s scoring list with a 16.5 points average, will be the Red Warriors’ main weapon. He was also second on last year’s top assist list with 5.6 per match.

College of Saint Benilde’s dynamo, the 6’1” Mark Romero, finished eighth in scoring last tournament with a 15.9 average.

Lyceum of the Philippines Pirate Dexter Zamora was a part of head coach Bonnie Tan’s one-two punch with Shane Ko. Zamora was ninth in scoring last Filoil with a 15.2 average per outing.

But expected to raise his scoring average this year is sophomore San Sebastian Stag Jaymark Perez, the heir to Calvin Abueva in a Golden Stags’ jersey. Perez, who turned his team into a fastbreaking one with his speed and dribbling ability, finished 10th in scoring last summer with a 15.1 average.

Expect San Sebastian’s young team to make a lot of noise this season. Leading last year’s Filoil in three-point shooting were Fil-Am find Leo de Vera and sniper Jon Rebollos who collectively knocked down 41 triples in eight matches.

UE’s Sierra Leone native Charles Mammie led the league in rebounding with 12.4 rebounds per game en route to the Filoil championship.

NU’s Alfred Aroga, who will be playing in his first UAAP season this coming Season 77, will return for his second Filoil stint. He was second to former Letran Knight Raymond Almazan in the blocks department with 1.6 rejections per game. Almazan finished first with 2.0 swats per outing.

The 2014 Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup tips off on April 23 at The Arena in San Juan.