Flying V Pre-Season unwraps tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - The Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup, considered as the breeding ground of champions both in the UAAP and NCAA, hopes to live up to its billing when it kicks off its seventh staging tomorrow at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Last year’s finalists Ateneo and San Beda, for instance, went on to secure championships in their respective leagues with the Eagles, led by Kiefer Ravena and Greg Slaughter, annexing their fourth straight championship in the UAAP.

The Lions, on the other hand, regained the NCAA diadem, their fourth in the last five years under former coach Frankie Lim.

Ravena, also named the MVP of the Filoil Flying V tournament, went on to carry the fight for the Blue Eagles in last year’s UAAP, and was voted hands down as Rookie of the Year.

The Blue Eagles open their title retention bid against the Letran Knights at 2 p.m. tomorrow after the elaborate opening rites at 1 p.m. 

Invited to grace the opener of the event, presented by Bostik Phils. Inc. in cooperation with Total Phils. Corp., are Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia, Rep. JV Ejercito and San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez.

While the Eagles are fancied over the Knights, the Muralla-based squad is raring to prove its worth on a team built around Kevin Alas and Mark Cruz.

The Red Lions, on the other hand, launch their title drive under new coach Ronnie Magsanoc against the La Salle Green Archers at 4 p.m.