University of the Philippines’ Gerry Abadiano in the 18th FilOil Preseason Cup. Photo handout/FilOil Preseason Cup Media Team.
MANILA (UPDATED) — University of the Philippines made history after its Finals victory in the 18th FilOil Preseason Cup on Sunday.
The Fighting Maroons, who defeated National University, 79-65, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, won their third straight championship in the tournament.
In the process, they became the first team to claim the ECJ Perpetual Trophy.
Francis Nnoruka led UP with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists, Gerry Abadiano and Gani Stevens each scored 13, while Noy Remogat scattered eight markers, three dimes, and a board.
"It's good na nakikita namin yung bunga ng hard work namin," said Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde after the game. "But at the same time, we're staying grounded pa rin. Yung focus namin to get better is andoon pa rin."
"Sa amin, 'wag lang dapat kaming maging kampante," mirrored Abadiano, who was named as the Tournament MVP after posting 11.8 markers, 2.5 boards, and 1.8 dimes prior to the Finals.
This was a huge boost for State U, the defending UAAP men's basketball titlists, as it looks to maintain its glory in the collegiate stage come Season 88 later this year.
In the last two editions of the premier preseason tournament (2023, 2024), UP took down modern-day rival De La Salle University. Coincidentally, these came after the Bulldogs ruled the same tilt in 2022.
It was only a 36-30 game midway through the second frame with UP in the driver's seat, but the Maroons — all thanks to Terrence Fortea, Abadiano, and Miguel Yniguez — made it 43-30 following a seven-to-nothing run from the trio.
A Reinhard Jumamoy and-one early in the third cut National U's deficit to eight, 50-42, but the Fighting Maroons quickly retaliated with a 20-to-7 charge to end the same frame for a 70-49 cushion, one that was eventually enough to seal the win.
Jake Figueroa led the Bulldogs with 12 points, six rebounds, and two steals, following him was Ken Padrones who finished with 10 markers and four boards, and Mythical Member Jolo Manansala had six points with two rebounds.
Aside from Abadiano and Manansala, De La Salle University's Kean Baclaan, Colegio de San Juan de Letran's Jonathan Manalili, and University of Santo Tomas' Gelo Crisostomo were also a part of the Mythical Team.
UP's Nnoruka was named as the Defensive Player of the Tournament. He put up 12.3 points and 8.6 rebounds before the championship game.
The Scores:
UP 79 - Nnoruka 15, Abadiano 13, Stevens 13, Remogat 8, Torres 7, Alarcon 7, Fortea 6, Alter 4, Yniguez 3, Belmonte 2, Bayla 1, Briones 0, Felicilda 0.
NU 65 - Figueroa 12, Padrones 10, Santiago 9, Palacielo 6, Manansala 6, Francisco 6, Enriquez 4, John 4, Jumamoy 3, Garcia 3, Dela Cruz 2, Solomon 0, Parks 0, Navarro 0.
Quarterscores: 27-21, 48-37, 70-49, 79-65.