Cebu teams make Filoil Flying V debut

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu-based teams University of San Carlos and University of Visayas make their long-awaited debut in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup as they clash with Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal U, respectively, today at The Arena in San Juan.

Former PBA cager and UV coach Felix Belano hopes to draw big games from guard John Abad and power forward Wowie Escosio as the Green Lancers, the reigning CESAFI (Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc.) champions, slug it out with the Altas in the 4 p.m. main game.

The USC Warriors, on the other hand, battle the Heavy Bombers at 12:30 p.m. with another former PBA veteran Junthy Valenzuela at the helm of the Cebu-based squad.

Valenzuela, a former Red Bull stalwart, will bank on former Ateneo Blue Eaglet Izak Kiefer Lim, Anthony Romaguera, Victor Rabat, and Ahmed Saliha as they mix it up with the Bombers.

The Altas, meanwhile, will be banking on veterans Scottie Thompson, Harold Arboleda, Cris Elopre, Justine Alano and Juneric Baloria.

Veteran shooter Philip Paniamogan and power forward Michael Mabulac, on the other hand, will lead the Heavy Bombers’ title drive with newcomers Abdul Razak, a 6-8 Ghanaian reinforcement, and Jordan dela Paz out to create an impact.

In other games, National University and Far Eastern University face off in a women’s division tussle at 10:45 a.m. whie the San Beda Red Lions test the Seaba-bound Philippine Youth Under-18 team at 2:15 p.m.

Mapua and UST tangle in a juniors match-up at 5:45 p.m.

Tickets are available at all SM TicketNet outlets as well as the game venue.