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Photo from Filoil EcoOil Sports
MANILA, Philippines – The 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup playoffs will commence on Friday, beginning with the crossover quarterfinals.
UAAP top seed La Salle will be tested by surprise NCAA no. 4 Arellano in the main event at 4 p.m., while UAAP no. 2 University of Santo Tomas braces for a testy battle against NCAA no. 3 Emilio Aguinaldo College at 2 p.m.
University of the Philippines, seeking a third straight preseason crown and in the hunt for the ECJ Perpetual Trophy, raises the curtains at 10 a.m. against NCAA no. 2 St. Benilde, while NCAA leader Letran takes on UAAP no. 4 National University at 12 p.m.
It’s expected to be another loaded quadruple-header as this tilt hits fever pitch with the top eight teams left standing.
READ: FilOil: Letran is NCAA’s top seed, La Salle sweeps UAAP elims
Undefeated through six games, the Green Archers want to continue to flex their muscles, especially with how new recruits Jacob Cortez, Kean Baclaan, Mason Amos, and Luis Pablo have paired up with the holdovers led by Mike Phillips. But the Chiefs have proven to be a dangerous draw with Maverick Vinoya and T-Mc Ongotan leading the way.
Nic Cabañero, Forthsky Padrigao, and Gelo Crisostomo also want to deliver a strong statement, especially with the Growling Tigers’ burgeoning UAAP championship aspirations for the upcoming season, but before they do, they will be tested by the highly physical Generals which has Wilmar Oftana, Nico Quinal, and Kyle Ochavo serving as torchbearers.
It’s also going to be a big test for the Blazers, buoyed by Allen Liwag and Shawn Umali, as they prove themselves to be for real this coming NCAA season by trying to take down the mighty Fighting Maroons, which have relied on old reliables Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, and Terrence Fortea.
And of course, the duo of Titing Manalili and Jimboy Estrada will shoulder the load for the Knights as they try to negate the prowess of the Bulldogs backcourt of Steve Nash Enriquez and Reinhard Jumamoy.