Scorpions, Bulldogs clash for Filoil lead

MANILA, Philippines - Unbeaten Centro Escolar University and National University dispute the Group C lead as they tangle at resumption of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup today at the San Juan Arena.

The CEU Scorpions hope to sustain their amazing surge after sweeping their first four games although they will have their hands full when they face off with the Bulldogs in their 12:30 p.m. encounter.

Like CEU, NU is unbeaten in three starts with the Bulldogs dropping just one match in the last three years of the annual competition serving as tune-up for various collegiate leagues.

CEU, the defending NAASCU champions, is expected to lean again on Rodrigue Ebondo, Mon Abundo, Alfred Batino, and Joseph Sedurifa while NU will be led by veterans Gelo Alolino, Troy Rosario, Glenn Khobuntin and Alfred Aroga.

“Even if they lost a lot of players and Ray Parks, NU is still a very good team,” said CEU head coach Edgar Macaraya. “They are a difficult match-up because they can play you in a running game or a half court game. We can only try to do our best.”

In other matches, St. Clare (1-4) and Letran (1-2) collide at 2:15 p.m. while Perpetual Help (3-1) and Jose Rizal University (3-2) try to boost their quarterfinals bid when they mix it up at 4 p.m.

In other Filoil action, the UP Lady Maroons square off with the UE Amazons at 10:45 a.m. while the Juniors squads of NU and Ateneo, UAAP finals protagonists last season, renew their rivalry in the 5:45 p.m. main game.

Tickets to the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup are available at SM TicketNet and at the game venue.

The pre-season collegiate basketball tournament is sponsored by Flying V, Filoil, Total, Hanes, San Miguel Corp., Starmobile, Timex, Silverworks, Gatorade, LGR, Meralco, BDO, Reyes Barbecue, Douwe Egberts, NLEX, Gerry’s Grill, Brothers Burger, Molten, Bayo, Oxycan, BPI, PBCom, San Marino, Red Logo and Bacchus Energy Drink.