Mapua-Arellano, NU-EAC banner Filoil Thursday hoops

MANILA, Philippines – The National University Bulldogs shoot for their second win in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup when they take on the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals on Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. 

Meanwhile, the reeling Mapua Cardinals, who are at 0-3 battle, the 0-1 Arellano University Chiefs at 12:45 p.m followed by the NU-EAC clash at 2:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs are fresh from their come-from-behind win over FEU last Tuesday and are looking to build some momentum in the summer tournament behind Dave Ildefonso, John Lloyd Clemente, Chino Mosqueda and Issa Gaye, who were instrumental in the win over the Tamaraws.

EAC is rebuilding under new head coach Oliver Bunyi. They stuck close to Adamson for the first 23 minutes before folding to a more superior Soaring Falcons team, 89-65. The Generals count on Marwin Taywan, JP Maguliano and newcomer JP Boffa, an undersized forward-center, to battle foes. But there doesn’t seem to be enough more so when you consider that point guard Maui Cruz has been surprisingly relegated to Team B.

Mapua has a strong and deep local crew but had the misfortune of playing a CEU team with a tall centerin Maodo Diouf to turn back their inside sorties then faced San Beda minus three key players after which they lost to La Salle with a more or less complete lineup. Unlike last season when the Cardinals went 4-0 to start the Filoil tourney, this year they are struggling.

They will have their hands full against a rebuilding Arellano team that still has a few hands from their last finals finish three seasons ago in the comebacking Kent Salado, Rence Alcoriza and Archie Concepcion. They do have former UST forward Justin Araña and former San Sebastian Stag Alfren Gayosa to help out.

Named to the best five of the seniors division after the first week of play are La Salle’s Andrei Caracut, San Beda’s Donald Tankoua, Lyceum’s JC Marcelino, CEU’s Maodo Diouf and Adamson’s rookie Aaron Fermin.

The Defensive Player of the Week citation goes to UST’s Soulemane Chabi Yo.

Other matches in the Filoil’s Thursday offering are a pair of high school battles, with rebuilding Ateneo going up against San Beda at 11 a.m. and a Mapua Red Robins team — with few pieces from their NCAA Juniors title team — matching up with a very good LPU Junior Pirates team that is 2-0 in the tourney in the 4:15pm closer.

Named to the juniors division Best five of the Week are FEU’s Kyle Bautista, San Beda’s Justine Sanchez, Perpetual Help’s Emman Galman, Lyceum’s John Barba and Ateneo’s Forthsky Padrigao. FEU’s Cholo Anonuevo was named Defensive Player of the Week.

The 11-Under Division finds undefeated Xavier (3-0) going up against San Sebastian (8 a.m.), Marist facing off against San Beda (9 a.m.), and De La Salle Zobel battling Colegio De San Benildo (10 a.m.).

The Best Five Players of the Week in the 11-Under division are Xavier’ Rambert Lagar, Don Bosco’s Rolindo Sy, Colegio De San Benildo’s James Macale, De La Salle Zobel’s Matthew Arabon, and San Beda’s Carl Songco. Lagar was also named the Best Defensive Player of the Week.

Tickets to the tournament can be purchased at the gate of the venue or through Ticketnet.