CEBU, Philippines - The Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras will leave for Manila this morning to take part in the 7th FilOil Flying V Premier Cup set to kick off this Saturday at the Arena in San Juan City.
SWU is the first ever provincial team to see action in the prestigious league since its inception in 2006. The reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball champion will go up against the top teams from UAAP and NCAA.
"It's a tough challenge for us because we will be playing against the best collegiate teams in the country," said SWU coach Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba. "But the boys are ready. We are going to give them one big fight."
The Cobras are bracketed in Group B along with defending UAAP titlist Ateneo Blue Eagles, La Salle Green Archers, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, San Sebastian College Stags, Letran Knights, Lyceum Pirates, Arellano University Flaming Arrows, and Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals.
Group A, on the other hand, is comprised of NCAA champ San Beda Red Lions, Perpetual Help Atlas, National University (NU) Bulldogs, Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, Adamson University Falcons, University of the Philippines (UP) Maroons, St. Benilde College Blazers, and Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers.
Southwestern U will open its campaign against Ateneo at 6 pm on Saturday. San Beda will take on defending champion National U in the season-opener at 2 pm, while UST will battle La Salle in the second game at 4 pm.
The event, which is being used by the schools to sharpen up for their respective collegiate leagues, is staking a top purse worth P400,000 for the champion and P150,000 and P75,000 for the second and third placers, respectively. (FREEMAN)