Altas stake unbeaten run in Filoil Premier Cup

Games today (The Arena)

10:45 a.m. â€“ Adamson vs DLSU (womens)

12:30 p.m. â€“ National U vs HTC (Srs C)

2:15 p.m. â€“ Perpetual vs SWU (Srs A)

4 p.m. â€“ Letran vs Mapua (Srs B)

5:45 p.m. â€“ Letran vs LSGH (juniors)

MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help stakes its immaculate card against dangerous Southwestern U today in one of the featured seniors matches in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena.

The Altas have romped off with three successive victories in Group A, the last one at the expense of defending champion University of the East (83-78), with their “Fab Four” Juneric Baloria, Justine Alano, Earl Thompson and Harold Arboleda carrying much of the offensive load.

Perpetual coach Aric del Rosario hopes the rest of the Altas will step up and ease the burden on the four in their 2:15 p.m. matchup with the Cobras, a team doubly motivated to rock the tourney for Cebu’s honor.

“Our bench needs to come out and get into the equation,” del Rosario said in Filipino.

Cebu bet SWU came out charging in their first outing, seizing a 20-point lead before claiming a 72-68 win over erstwhile unbeaten Jose Rizal U.

“That was a statement game for us,” said Cobras coach Yayoy Alcoseba. “We want to not only win the CESAFI but if we can, also do well in Filoil.”

The Cobras are determined to make up for a rather forgettable showing last year, when they lost their first five matches by an average of 16.4 points and salvaged some pride by winning their last three.

Point guard Mac Tallo, forward Adam Mohammed, power forward Daryl Goloran, center Landry Sanjo, and sweet-shooting backcourt duo Jasper Parker and Antonio Pardo lead SWU, which had to survive a furious 25-9 bomb from the Bombers in the last seven minutes of their first match.

“That means for all our improvements, there is still much to learn,” SWU assistant coach Mike Reyes, younger brother of Gilas mentor Chot Reyes, pointed out.

National University and Holy Trinity College of General Santos City make their Filoil debut in the 12:30 p.m. setto while hard-luck Letran (0-2) and Mapua (0-1) figure in a showdown of winless squads at 4 p.m.

Adamson and La Salle battle in the lone women’s game at 10:45 a.m. while juniors teams La Salle Greenhills and Mapua play in the nightcap at 5:30 p.m.