MANILA, Philippines - Third seed Southwestern University tangles with Jose Rizal University today while top seed Centro Escolar U takes on No. 8 Lyceum at the start of the quarterfinal phase of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
The SWU Cobras, who posted a 3-1 record in Cebu, go up against the Heavy Bombers at 2 p.m., upbeat of their chances to score a repeat of their 72-68 win in the elims.
SWU dispatched CESAFI rivals University of San Carlos and University of the Visayas, lost to La Salle but trampled University of the East. The Cobras pin their hopes again on Landry Sanjo, Mark Tallo, Jasper Parker, Adam Mohammed and Anton Pardo.
The Bombers, on the other hand, are seeking for a payback behind Jaycee Asuncion, Philip Paniamogan and Michael Mabulac.
The Scorpions, meanwhile, hope to sustain their amazing unbeaten run in the elims as they face off with the Pirates, another surprise entry in the knockout stage.
CEU blitzed the field en route to a 6-0 slate behind Rod Ebondo, Alvin Abundo, Samboy De Leon and Joseph Sedurifa.
“We want to keep winning as long as we can and enter the new NAASCU season on a high note,†said CEU coach Edgar Macaraya.
But Lyceum also turned in an impressive stint in the elims, finishing with a 4-2 slate. The Pirates will be led by Dexter Zamora, Rhoel Maconocido, and Shane Ko.
Meanwhile, FEU’s Mike Tolomia was named Best Player of the Week after steering the Tams to an unbeaten record in the elimination round with a convincing 89-79 win over the San Beda Lions. Tolomia finished with 26 points, six rebounds and 10 assists.
Named to the Gatorade Best Five of the Week were Tolomia, UP’s Mark Juruena, CEU’s Samboy De Leon, Perpetual Help’s Juneric Baloria and San Sebastian’s Jan Acebron.