The long road to the national crown begins here.

Seen as a measuring stick on how their respective squads would fare, this year’s staging of the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Premier Cup will undoubtedly usher in one of the most talented crop of recruits in recent years.

Games tomorrow — April 9, 2011 1:00pm – Opening Ceremonies Seniors 2:00pm – Ateneo vs. San Beda 4:00pm – De La Salle vs. Santo Tomas Juniors 6:00pm – Ateneo vs. DLSZ

With all the eight member schools of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) together with eight of the nine member schools of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competing, along with guest team Lyceum of the Philippines University from the Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association (ISAA), this 17-team field is the biggest and most comprehensive cast assembled to see who among the Manila teams have the best chances to lift the national championship trophy by December.

Not to be overlooked, however, is the field of 18 high school squads from the UAAP, NCAA, and the Under-13 and Under-16 squads that features talents that holds the future of Philippine basketball.

Heading the list of prized aquistions include Baser Amer (San Beda), Kiefer Ravena (Ateneo), and Kevin Ferrer (UST) who all decided to stay put within the dens that nurtured them in their high school years. Other notable recruits that also stayed within their ranks are Arnold Van Opstal (DLSU), Von Pessumal (Ateneo), Mark Cruz (Letran), Michael Pate (DLSU), Gino Jumao-as (SSC-R),

Those making the jump to different schools include former RP Youth members Joshua Alolino (from UPHSD to National U) and Cederick Labing-isa (from UST-HS to National U), Roldan Sara and Alfonso Gotladera (both from San Beda to DLSU), Roque Estoce (from UST-HS to Arellano), Gwyne Capacio (from DLSZ to Ateneo), Chris Javier (from San Beda to UE), Paolo Romero (from Ateneo to UP), and Alyson Carlos (from LSGH to UST).

Making their head coaching debuts will be former RP Youth mentor Eric Altamirano (National U), Jerry Codiñera (UE), Ricky Dandan (State U), and the returning Turo Valenzona (SSC-R) and Bert Flores (FEU).

The tournament features a single-round robin format where all the 17 teams will be separated into two groups: Arellano, Ateneo, DLSU, National U, San Beda, SSC-R, Santo Tomas, and Lyceum are clustered into Group A; Adamson, Benilde, Letran, EAC, FEU, Jose Rizal, Mapua, UE, and State U rounds out Group B. The top four teams in each group advances to the knockout playoffs until a champion is crowned.

An hour-long opening ceremony will be held at 1pm, while the tipoff of the opening match between San Beda and Ateneo will be at 2pm.