TWO of the surprise teams in the ongoing Filoil Flying V Premier Cup collide today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan, with Far Eastern University (FEU) taking on University of the Philippines in a battle of front-runners.
The Tamaraws, who sit atop Group B with a 4-0 record, face the 3-1 Fighting Maroons in the 5 p.m. game.
FEU bucked the loss of power forward-center Raymar Jose, brothers Ken and Steve Holmqvist and shooting guard Monbert Arong on the strength of its deep and talented guard corps led by senior Ron Dennison, Wendell Comboy, Hubert Cani, Axel Iñigo and explosive Filipino-Canadian RJ Ramirez.
First-year Head Coach Olsen Racela has downplayed the team’s strong start by saying the Tamaraws are in Group B, that is, sans the reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association champion San Beda, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) titlist De La Salle and powers Ateneo and Letran.
Jose Rizal University and Lyceum of the Philippines are also in the other groups but, save for Letran, the other squads all have records that are either at the .500 mark or better.
The Tamaraws face a UP squad that was waylaid by Adamson University, 58-50, in their last assignment.
Bolstered by new additions in point guard Jun Manzo, swingman Juani Gomez de Liaño and center Ibrahim Quattara, UP has become deeper at every position. With a strong preseason showing, the Fighting Maroons are looking to finally make good on their contender status in the upcoming UAAP Season 80.
In other matches, Arellano University, having tasted its first win in four matches—a 95-92 squeaker over Emilio Aguinaldo College—take on a tough San Sebastian Stags squad that currently totes a 4-1 record in in the 11:15 a.m. match.
Winless Letran (0-4) and young University of Santo Tomas (1-4) collide at 3:15 p.m.
Although the Knights still have six players from their 2015 NCAA championship squad, the only ones who in the past two seasons have gotten heavy playing time are the graduating Rey Nambatac and Bong Quinto, as well Christian Balagasay and JP Calvo.
Maui Bernabe and Tommy Gedaria have only recently been given more playing time at Letran especially since last year’s rookie guard Marco Sario has left the team.
In juniors action, the Jose Rizal Light Bombers battle the University of the East Junior Warriors at 9:30 a.m.