Reigning UAAP men’s champion Ateneo tests the mettle of Gilas Pilipinas cadets right away as they battle each other in the opener of the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup this Saturday.
The tussle between the nationals and the Blue Eagles is set at 6:30 p.m. at the Filoil Flying V Centre and serves as the main game of a busy triple header ushering the 12th season of the annual tournament.
The opening ceremony begins at 12 noon and will be shown live on ESPN 5.
This will be the first tournament where the cadets are seeing action since a training pool was formed early this year from where the nucleus of the national team to the 2023 FIBA World Cup here will be culled.
Tournament director Bennett Palad said the stint will definitely help the squad become one cohesive unit.
“Malaking tulong because they’re competing with the best players and best schools natin. Kung national team player ako mahahasa ng husto yung skills ko,” said Palad, who was with long-time Filoil Preseason Premier Cup official Joey Guillermo during the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Tapa King Restaurant at Farmers Plaza in Cubao.
