A SLEW of rookies determined to make an immediate impact will see action in 9th Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup unfolding Saturday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Defending champion La Salle will unveil crack guards Andrei Caracut and Jollo Go who were recruited out of San Beda and Hope Christian High School, respectively, as they seek a third crown in the preseason event.
Hoping to fill the void left by Charles Mammie, Moustapha Arafat and Roi Sumang, University of the East will field former National U playmaker Philip Manalang and ex-Chiang Kai Shek College power forward Shannon Gagagte.
NU, which ruled the UAAP last season, bolstered its lineup with the recruitment of Nicko Abatayo from NCAA junior champion San Beda as well as Hope Christian High School center Tzaddy Rangel and Ghanaian center Issa Gaye.
Hoping to improve from last season, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons picked up two blue chip rookies from Ateneo de Cebu in Dominic Longa and Jan Jaboneta.
“Since the Filoil tournament is the premier college preseason competition, this is the first look for many coaches and fans of the newcomers who are expected to help and plug holes in their respective team lineups,” said tournament commissioner “Ato” Badolato.
“Some will come in with high expectations, some will have to earn their minutes with veteran-heavy squads. But it will be interesting.”
The opening games will pit Ateneo and San Beda in the lone juniors match at 12:15 p.m. while University of Santo Tomas and UE open seniors hostilities at 2 p.m. La Salle and San Beda clash at 4 p.m. before Jose Rizal U tangles with Far Eastern U. Cedelf P. Tupas