SWU Cobras. FILE Photo from CDN /LITO TECSON
Cebu champion Southwestern University will see action in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup as a guest team when the preseason tournament opens April 13 at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Cobras made heads turn with a strong performance in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League last year, forcing Manila teams to focus their attention on center Ben Mbala, who was later recruited by La Salle.
Siewe Armel, a 6-foot-10 center, will be taking over Mbala’s place in the lineup as the Cobras hope to make an impact in the tournament won last year by National University.
UAAP and NCAA teams use the tournament to sharpen up for their upcoming seasons while giving exposure to their rookies.
La Salle’s Kib Montalbo, National U’s JJ Alejandro, Cameroonian Alfred Arogo of University of the East, Ateneo’s Christopher Newsome and Letran’s Rey Nambatac are among the players expected to make their debuts in the tournament.
The two brackets are a mix between the various NCAA and UAAP teams with Group A composed of San Beda, University of Perpetual Help, National U, Far Eastern University, University of the Philippines, Saint Benilde, Jose Rizal U and Adamson.
Bracket B is made up of Ateneo, La Salle, University of Santo Tomas, University of the East, San Sebastian, Letran, Lyceum, Arellano, Emilio Aguinaldo College and Southwestern U.