Filoil Preseason begins with Final Four rematches

Games Sunday
12 p.m. - LPU vs. Mapua
2 p.m. - UST vs. UP
4 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies
4:30 p.m. - NU vs. La Salle

FAMILIAR rivals headline the opening day of the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive on Sunday, rekindling Final Four flames and writing new chapters in their respective stories.

Reigning three-time preseason champion University of the Philippines begins its quest for redemption against last year's semifinal foe University of Santo Tomas at 2 p.m., to be followed with the main game featuring the UAAP Season 88 kings La Salle taking on a rebuilding National U at 4:30 p.m.

Newly-hired shot-callers Chito Victolero and Jamike Jarin, meanwhile, return to the collegiate scene as Mapua and Lyceum of the Philippines U raise the curtains at 12 p.m. at Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.

Everyone's eyes will be on the Fighting Maroons, now armed with Veejay Pre, James Payosing, and Rainer Maga, as the Diliman crew try to upend the Growling Tigers, which will still parade Collins Akowe, Gelo Crisostomo, and Amiel Acido.

On the other hand, Mason Amos and Jacob Cortez are pressured to keep the Green Archers at the top as they brace for the challenge of the PJ Palacielo-led Bulldogs in this tilt which has Hanes, Buffalo's Wings N Things, Wallem, BDO, Akari, Smart, Molten, Reyes Barbecue, Nature's Spring, Tela.com Athletics, Brothers Burger, and Don Benito's as sponsors.

Meanwhile, Victolero is trotting out an essentially new Cardinals crew with rookie Froilan Reyes joining holdovers Ivan Lazarte and Yam Concepcion.

But awaiting them are the Jarin's Pirates which are welcoming back court general Mac Guadana in its fray.

The 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive will be broadcasted live and free on PusoP.com.