THE University Athletic Association of the Philippines teams return in full force when the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup resumes on Wednesday at the San Juan Arena.
Defending Filoil champion De La Salle takes on the Topex Robinson-coached Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) in the main game at 5 p.m., while the University of the East (UE) locks horns with Mapua at 1:30 p.m.
Far Eastern University (FEU) battles Letran at 3:15 p.m.
The Green Archers look to bounce back from its opening-day loss to San Beda when they take on reeling LPU that is 0-2 in the tournament.
La Salle has its Southeast Asia Basketball Association contingent of Prince Rivero, Jeron Teng and Arnold Van Opstal back in harness against the Pirates, who count on undersized but tough center Jospeh Gabayni, Dexter Zamora and Wilson Baltazar to lead them on the court.
The 2-0 Red Warriors, now in seeming concert with the intense full-court press of Head Coach Derrick Pumaren, look to trip the reeling 0-2 Cardinals whose only redeeming factor is their hardworking center Allwell Oraeme.
FEU is, likewise, looking to barge into the win column against a 1-1 Letran squad that relies heavily on its backcourt tandem of Mark Cruz and Rey Nambatac. Rookie Jerrick Balanza, who climbed up from the juniors ranks, has added some firepower in the small forward position.
In other matches, FEU-FERN and La Salle Greenhills tussle in the only juniors match scheduled for 10 a.m. College of Saint Benilde and University of San Jose Recoletos open the seniors wars at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets to the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup are available at all SM Ticket Net outlets and at the San Juan Arena.
Tournament sponsors include Filoil, Flying V, Total, Hanes, Meralco, BDO, Freego, BPI, NLEX, Gatorade, LGR, Molten Qubiertos, Reyes Barbecue, CDO, Oxycan, Brothers Burger, Gerry’s Grill, Nature’s Spring, Bayo, Philips, Rebisco, Douwe Egberts, Silverworks and Bacchus.