Wide-open race for Filoil crown

A wide-open race for the title looms in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup starting Saturday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

With defending champions National U staying formidable along with NCAA titlist San Beda and rivals La Salle and Ateneo still a force, a tight preseason tournament is expected.

“This year we really don’t know who can win because if you look at the field of teams, it’s very much even,” said Filoil Flying V Sports general manager Joey Guillermo during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

The Bulldogs kick off their title defense against three-time NCAA defending champion San Beda in the opener of an explosive triple header. University of Santo Tomas battles La Salle in the second game at 4 p.m. before five-time UAAP defending champion Ateneo takes on guest team Southwestern University in the 6 p.m. nightcap.

Among those expected to grace the opening ceremony are Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios.

The 18 teams disputing the P400,000 prize will be divided into two brackets with Group A headed by San Beda and Ateneo in Group B.

The inaugural women’s tournament will have 10 teams, while the juniors competition have a total of 12 squads.