MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons test the mettle of undefeated Centro Escolar University in the main game of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup on Wednesday, May 14, at the San Juan Arena.
The CEU Scorpions, current NAASCU champions and stocked with PBA D-League veterans, currently tote a 2-0 record and lead Group C of the summer tournament. Coached by former PBA and San Sebastian Stags star Edgar Macaraya, the team won its first two assignments by an average of 9.0 points.
UP is at an even 1-1 found strength in their endgame when they survived a furious rally by the College of Saint Benilde for a 76-69 win. In their first game of the tournament, they lost in the final minute of play to San Sebastian, 81-78.
CEU will bank on starters Mon Abundo, Rodrigue Ebondo, Joseph Sedurifa, and Alfred Batiño while UP head coach Rey Madrid has heady veterans Mikee Reyes, Henry Asilum, JR Gallarza, and newly promoted player from Team B, Dave Moralde to count on.
In other Filoil matches, the victorious RP Youth Under-18 team, fresh from its SEABA championship, returns to action against St. Clare College at 12:30 p.m. Emilio Aguinaldo College takes on Holy Trinity College of General Santos City at 2:30 p.m.
In women’s basketball, UP battles NU at 10:45 a.m. while the Ateneo Blue Eaglets battle the San Beda Red Cubs in the lone Juniors match at 5:45 p.m.
Tickets to the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup are available at all SM TicketNet outlets as well as the game venue.
The preseason collegiate basketball tournament is sponsored by Filoil, Flying V, Total, Hanes, Timex, Starmobile, San Miguel Corporation, Meralco, BDO, Silverworks, Gatorade, Gerry’s Grill, Reyes Barbecue, LGR, Brothers Burger, BPI, PBCom, NLEX, Molten, CDO, Bayo, Douwe Egberts, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Oxycan, Red Logo and Bacchus.