What to expect in the 2019 FIlOil tilt: Four Talking Points

IT'S BACK!

The thirteenth installment of the FilOil FlyingV Preseason Premier Cup tips off Sunday afternoon in San Juan, with the tournament stake its claim as the country's premier tournament that features teams from the NCAA and UAAP.

With that there are four talking points before the ball is hoisted in the air.

1. It's anybody's ballgame

With the absence of UAAP champions Ateneo, there will be a new name in the trophy for this edition's showpiece Seniors division which features two groups of 8 teams each.

Leading the way are reigning NCAA champions San Beda who was finalist of the most recent FilOil tilt, as they are the team to beat in Group A which features four-time FilOil champions La Salle, a much retooled UST and the anticipated reloading of UP, in which Ricci Rivero and Kobe Paras will make their debut for the Fighting Maroons.

In group B, FEU and St. Benilde who made it to the last year's semifinal are expected to be on top of their group, with Letran, Adamson and Lyceum expected to make a run in the tournament.

2. CEU returns to the FilOil tournamnt

With Ateneo and UE electing to skip this year's cage wars in San Juan, one school will make its comeback in the tournament where they made a huge spalsh.

Centro Escolar University is back into the FilOil tourney after a four-year wait, when then-coach Egay Macaraya was calling the shots for the then-Mendiola school.

It was in their debut in 2014 where CEU surprised everyone, as Samboy De Leon and Rodrigue Ebondo swept their group won seven straight before settling for third after losing to San Beda in the semifinal, ending their campaign at 8-1.

Now, Derrick Pumaren is taking CEU to the new era, with Maodo Malick Diouf and Tyron Chan leading the charge for the Scorpions who are now based in their Makati campus.

3. We surely miss Rolly Manlapaz

A huge void will be felt in the officials' table when the cage wars begin later in the afterrnoon, as basketball fans surely knew his voice.

The man we are referring to is the one and only Rolly Manlapaz, who made this tournament his practice facility as he prepares for the tougher grind in the NCAA and UAAP.

This year's tournament will be the first since Manlapaz passed away last year due to ALS. We surely missed his presence behind the mic, including his staples such as his booming "THREE!" and his trademark call on the last two minutes which will bring fans at the edge of their seats.

4. Pinoyliga will be here

Yes, you've heard it right! For this edition of the preseason tilt, Pinoyliga will be bringing the games online as they sealed their partnership last month.

That means every numbers relevant to the games are will be taken care of online and more objective than ever as the stats are the sole determining factor for numerous awards, from the player of the game up to deciding the MVP of the tournament.

We hope that there will be less debates after the game, because surely the numbers do not lie.

And with all things set, we shall see you in San Juan for the games of the 13th FilOil FlyingV Preseason Premier Cup!

(photos courtesy of FilOil FlyingV Sports)