SWU to face tall order in Filoil Flying V hoop

THE Southwestern University Cobras are in for a rough baptism of fire when they compete in the 7th Filoil Flying V Premier Cup as they have been grouped with some of the country’s best collegiate basketball squads including the reigning UAAP champions Ateneo Blue Eagles.
The tournament kicks off on April 13 at the Arena in San Juan City with the Cobras, much like the rest of the squads participating in this preseason competition, hoping to gain much experience heading to their title defense in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) tournament later this year.
The Cobras have been bracketed in Bracket B along with the Blue Eagles, last year’s runners-up University of Santo Tomas, NCAA runners-up Letran, the University of the East, San Sebastian, Lyceum, and Emilio Aguinaldo College. Interestingly, also in SWU’s group is La Salle, the same school that their prized forward Cameroonian Ben Mbala is transferring to.
SWU will be heading to the competition armed with Cameroonian import Justin Aboude and new reinforcement Fabrice Siewe. They are expected to anchor a squad that still boasts of Bon Guillena and last year’s Mythical Five member Monbert Arong.
The schools in Bracket A are San Beda, University of Perpetual Help Dalta System, National University, Far Eastern University, University of the Philippines, Arellano University, College of Saint Benilde, Jose Rizal University and Adamson University.
This edition of the tournament is expected to make waves, especially with the debuts of some heralded players. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio