#FilOil2019: Five takeaways from a terrific thirteenth installment

SAN JUAN -- The thirteenth edition of the FilOil FlyingV Preseason Cup was already on the books, as the new champions were crowned that will give us a glimpse in the respective leagues once the real season tips off in a week from now.

As San Beda and NU notched the titles in the college and high school divisions, let us look at why the new edition of the FilOil FlyingV Preseason Cup was fun while it lasted.

1. San Beda and NU are worthy and unbeaten kings of the court

Make no mistake here. Both the Red Lions and the Bullpups truly deserved all the plaudits as they deserved the titles that they have won. Not only they have clinched it, they have clearly dominated the field all the way to the final buzzer.
For San Beda, it was their third title in the last five season and second time they won it undefeated. All of those title wins have La Salle as their final victim, with a combined winning margin of 46 points.
Their win over the Green Archers last Sunday was a clear proof of their success as a program when they translated it into the NCAA. With La Salle struggling to get their grip in the post-Jeron Teng era, coach Boyet Fernandez saw the passing of the torch from Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon to the Bandana Bros of Evan Nelle and James Canlas.

For the Bullpups, it was a clear testament to their depth in which MVP Kevin Quiambao who came out of the shadows of the so called Batang Gilas trio of Abadiano, Fortea and Tamayo. A burly big man who primary plays in the slot, Quiambao is a double-double machine in almost all of the games that they have played.

2. Let's not forget about the surprise packages - Part 1: CEU

The only school outside of the NCAA and the UAAP this season, Centro Escolar University started hot in Group A, routing Mapua in a fight-marred opener, then outlasted UST in down-the wire thriller, putting the Dark Horse tag on Manong Derrick's side from the start.
However the problems began when they slashed the half of the team due to game-fixing allegations, and the team suddenly finds itself playing with just less than ten men and as a result, lost four straight games.

But the doubts have just subsided for CEU, when Malick Maodo Diouf played out his heart in the entire stretch even when he is fasting for Ramadan, in which they got the Scorpions marched on to the Quarterfinals, when they were stopped by Lyceum but not before yet another scare in which they came from 17 points down to force a final-period dogfight.
Furthermore, what made them more solid was their stunning run to the PBA D-League Finals, when they even nicked game two against a loaded Ateneo before falling in four of their best of five finale.
Yes, you can now tip your hat off to the CEU Scorpions. What a heart they have displayed.

3. Let's not forget about the surprise packages - Part 2: Perpetual Help High

Another program who is on the rise after the FilOil tourney is Perpetual Help, with the NCAA side taking home fourth place in the juniors' division.

The Jr. Altas of Mike Saguiguit carried on with their strides of their improvement since the appointment of Frankie Lim to overhaul the program, in which they came up just two games short of a Final Four apperance in the NCAA last season.

After taking down JRU in the opener, Perps pulled not just one, but two upset wins against powerhouse high schools to earn the dark horse tag in the high school tiff, thanks to their final frame outburst that knocked the hell out of their foes.
With Coach Frankie in attendance,the Jr. Altas caught fire to earn their first win ever against La Salle-Greenhills, then followed it up with a 21-point blowout of FEU, thanks to of course, another fourth quarter blitz to put the game away.

Emman Galman proved to be their undisputed leader for Perpetual. But the sweet shooting guard clearly had a back up with Kyle Cuevas and Gelo Gelsano pitching in for them, with all of their four wins were due to the team effort they have displayed thanks to the trio of reliables who made it possible.

Despite ending the stint with three straight losses, hope springs eternal for the Altalettes who can now say that they are ready for the upcoming cage wars in the NCAA.

4. The All-Star Game was the break that we needed.

Nearly lost in the spectacle of the FilOil cage wars was the staging of the All-Star Friday, in which the best of the NCAA and the UAAP teamed up for a rare occassion.

After all, the players needed the lighter side of the game to be played, carefree and no stress at all as the midseason spectacle was played for the very first time.

Overall, the thrilling win of the UAAP selection to its NCAA counterparts shows that we could have another run of it by next year, with more events such as the legends shootout and another alumni game to boot, just to maximize the time alloted.

5. UP's fun to watch. (While it lasted)

With then-defending champions Ateneo opted to skip the tournament, UP stood up to be the new crowd favorites this season, and for a good reason too.

As Ricci Rivero and Kobe Paras swapped their La Salle Green to a Fighting Maroon, the country's premier State University draw crowds whenever they played, as they even have the strongest side on paper after San Beda and Lyceum.

After dropping their opener against the Red Lions, they stomped out Arellano before taking on the Green Archers, with Rivero made the biggest mark in the game that arguably the best of the tournament.

Playing against his former alma mater, Rivero took the heavy load and lifted the injury-ridden UP for a thrilling overtime win

Despite injuries and tactical shuffling, Bo Perasol have compiled a 5-2 record, good for a second seed in Group A, but they have to leave the competition early as they have already booked their tickets for their offseason camp overseas.

Yup, UP was fun while it lasted. But we hope that next season, they can have a deep run for the title.

With all has been said and done, overall the 13th FilOil FlyingV Preseason Cup gave us a huge glimpse of what lies ahead in the real season, which is the UAAP and the NCAA.

(headline photo by Benny Benitez/Pinoyliga. Other photos by FilOil FlyingV Sports)