La Salle, UP face off for Filoil Preseason title

DLSU vs UP

Games Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre

2 p.m. - Battle for 3rd: Perpetual vs. National University
3:45 p.m. - Hanes 1-on-1 King of the Hardcourt Finals: Mapua’s Khem Sabsalon vs. EAC’s Ruzzel Dominguez
4 p.m. - Final: La Salle vs. UP

The much anticipated return match has finally been formalized, and it is for the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup championship.

De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines will tangle in the final at 4pm, after taking care of business earlier this week.

The Green Archers remained undefeated so far with eleven straight victories, including a 90-83 win against these Fighting Maroons during the eliminations. Anchoring their success has been recent senior national team callups Michael Phillips and Kevin Quiambao, as well as backcourt spitfires Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy.

Head coach Topex Robinson, however, highlights this rematch with an eye towards the upcoming 86th season of the UAAP. He says, "They're one of the barometers of the UAAP and we're glad to see where we're at against the cream of the crop of the UAAP."

Even with the hype and attention gazed towards them, the side of Goldwin Monteverde remains focused on the task at hand with internal development. He says, "From the very start, ang pinaka-main goal namin is whatever we could learn. So getting to the championship, malaking learning yun and big confidence-builder lalo na sa young guys namin."

Hoping to lead the way for the Fighting Maroons in avenging the defeat are Season 85 Most Valuable Player Malick Diouf, JD Cagulangan, and CJ Cansino.

Opening things up is the third place matchup between dethroned champions National University and the lone surviving NCAA team in University of Perpetual Help System Dalta at 2pm.

In between the two games is the Hanes 1-on-1 King of the Hardcourt final between a couple of NCAA ballers in Khem Sabsalon of Mapua and Ruzzel Dominguez of EAC. The duel takes place at 345pm.

The 2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup is supported by Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Akari, Reyes BBQ, BDO, Kalos Sportswear, and Molten.