Three varsity champions will clash early in a tough group when the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup unfolds on April 23.
UAAP champion La Salle, four-time NCAA king San Beda and Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) titlist University of Visayas got bunched together in Group A of the premier summer league that drew a record 21 teams.
The three reigning champions will battle in a single round-robin with other Group A teams Letran, University of the East and Cebu-based teams Southwestern U and University of San Carlos.
Far Eastern U leads Group B squads Perpetual Help, Mapua, Lyceum, Emilio Aguinaldo, St. Clare and the Under-18 National Youth Team, which will compete in the tournament as part of their buildup for the Fiba Worlds.
Squaring off in Group C are National U, San Sebastian, Jose Rizal U, University of the Philippines, Centro Escolar, St. Benilde and Holy Trinity. Jasmine W. Payo