The Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup will have a novel, more exciting twist this year.
For the first time since the tournament started in 2006, the league’s biggest stars will find themselves teaming up in an All-Star game.
Dubbed as the Master Game Face Basketball Challenge, the showdown is slated June 8 at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan with former Ateneo star Chris Tiu and ex-San Beda Red Lion Borgie Hermida coaching the two teams.
“The All-Star game is our most exciting and ambitious sports activity yet and we are glad to have Chris and Borgie as our brand ambassadors,” said Master manager Jonathan Pua.
The composition of the two teams will be determined through online fan voting on the Master page on Facebook, explained Pua.
Tiu’s squad will be culled from players of Ateneo, La Salle, University of Santo Tomas, Adamson, Letran, San Sebastian, Southwestern University and University of the East.
Hermida will handle the team that will be made up of players from San Beda, National U, Perpetual Help, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Far Eastern U, Arellano, University of the Philippines, Jose Rizal U and St. Benilde.
“It’s a brilliant idea and this is something new for the fans,” said Tiu at the launch of the event Wednesday at Bonifacio Global City.
The preseason tournament starts Saturday with the NU Bulldogs kicking off their title defense against three-time NCAA defending champion San Beda in the opener.
La Salle battles UST in the second game at 4 p.m. before five-time UAAP defending champion Ateneo takes on guest team Southwestern U at 6 p.m.