The tough grind begins for the country’s top collegiate teams in the 2012 FilOil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup opening Saturday at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Ateneo, seeking a fifth straight UAAP title, kick-starts its buildup in the preseason tournament, where the Eagles will have NCAA powerhouse Letran as their opening-day assignment.
Parading almost the same squad that won the title last season, the Eagles have been installed as favorites, but a slew of challengers, including bitter rival La Salle and NCAA champion San Beda and losing finalist San Sebastian are expected to give them a run for their crown.
“We cannot discount the other teams, since all the teams are capable of pulling off surprises,” FilOil Flying V consultant Joey Guillermo said yesterday at the PSA Forum at the Shakey’s, UN Avenue.
The Archers will also be in action on opening day opposite the Lions, who are hoping to continue their winning ways under new coach Ronnie Magsanoc. Capping off the three-game bill opening the tournament is the clash between Jose Rizal U and National U at 6 p.m.
All eight UAAP teams and the 10 NCAA squads are joining the tournament, together with their counterparts in the juniors, except for the UE Pages. The juniors have a lone guest team in Xavier.
Sophomore Kiefer Ravena, who impressed in his rookie year with the Eagles, and talented big man Greg Slaughter are back to power Ateneo, together with Nico Salva and Justin Chua.
The Knights hope to have Kevin Alas back from injury, although they still have the manpower to cause problems for the Eagles, like pint-sized yet fleet-footed guard Mark Cruz.
Magsanoc took the reins from the multi-titled Frankie Lim, hoping to sustain the success for the Mendiola-based school which has won five titles in the last six years in the NCAA.