USC, UV shoot for first Filoil Flying V win

MANILA, Philippines - University of San Carlos and the University of Visayas collide today in a duel of Cebu-based schools out to bounce back from a pair of losses that marred their debut in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at the San Juan Arena.

The USC Warriors, who bowed to the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers, and the UV Green Lancers, who lost to the Perpetual Help Altas, face off at 12:30 p.m. with coaches of both squads vowing to rebound strong.

“We will play better next time,” said  USC coach Junthy Valenzuela. “Most of the boys had not played here and there’s a period of adjustment.”

UV coach Felix Belano, for his part, said: “We did not play to our true potential. But no excuses. We lost. We have to adjust and learn. Maybe playing against another Cebuano team will help.”

NAASCU champion Centro Escolar University, meanwhile, hopes to come up with a follow-up to its 76-67 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College the first time out as it collides with a debuting College of St. Benilde at 2:15 p.m.

 The Blazers figured in the championship match of the Philippines Invitational Cup last April 27 in Iloilo where they lost to Ateneo, 79-74.

San Sebastian College likewise shoots for its second win as they mix it up with EAC in the last seniors match at 4 p.m. The SSC Stags kicked off their campaign with a scrambling 81-78 victory over the University of the Philippines Maroons last Saturday,.

Rounding out the day’s matches are the UE Amazons versus the CSB Lady Blazers at 10:45 a.m. in the lone women’s match while the Ateneo Blue Eaglets squares off with the Letran Squires at 5:45 p.m.

Tickets to the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup are available at all SM TicketNet outlets as well as the game venue.

The pre-season collegiate basketball tournament is sponsored by Filoil, Flying V, Total, Hanes, Timex, Starmobile, San Miguel Corporation, Meralco, BDO, Silverworks, Gatorade, Gerry’s Grill, Reyes Barbecue, LGR, Brothers Burger, BPI, PBCom, Molten, CDO, Bayo, Douwe Egberts, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Oxycan, Red Logo, and Bacchus.