Collegiate squads test mettle of Young Gilas 5

The Gilas Cadets squad will lead 18 other teams when the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup fires off this Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

There will be 18 collegiate teams—10 from the NCAA and 8 from the UAAP—and the Kobe Paras-led Gilas Under-23 cadets in the seniors’ division.

Tournament format will have Groups A and B in the elimination round, with the top two squads figuring in a crossover semifinals.

“We welcome the addition of the Gilas team as it will make the tournament more exciting,” said tournament director Bennett Palad during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday at Tapa King in Farmers Market, Cubao.

“There are many highlights to look forward to, like new coaches.  Let’s see how the teams deal with the changes.”

The Gilas squad is eligible to win the championship.  As a compromise with the Cadets’ respective schools, the players won’t be allowed to suit up if the national team is playing against their schools.

National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Naascu) schools were invited but the teams declined as officials felt they are not competitive enough.

Opening Seniors A games will pit La Salle versus UP at 4:30 p.m. and Ateneo against Gilas at 6:30  p.m.  —JAN JAIME DELOS SANTOS, CONTRIBUTOR