Ateneo, Gilas cadets clash in Filoil opener

Reigning UAAP men’s champion Ateneo tests Gilas Pilipinas cadets’ mettle in the opener of the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup this Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Gametime is at 6:30 p.m., capping a triple-bill that ushers in the 12th season of the annual preseason tournament. The opening ceremony begins at 12 noon and will be shown live on ESPN 5.

This will be the first tournament where the Gilas 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 Filoil stint will help toughen up the squad.

“Its a big help because they’re competing with the best players and best schools. If I were a national team player I would surely hone my skills in the tournament,” 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.

Guillermo said the country’s premier preseason tournament has always been committed to extending a helping hand for national cause.

“I think this will be the fourth time where a national team will be playing in the preseason,” he said in the regular public sports program presented by San Miguel Corp., Tapa King, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

He said the last time a Philippine squad saw action in the meet was during the time of Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng, both of them are now rookies in the PBA.