JRU claims historic Filoil Preseason crown

Lawrence Mangubat c/o Filoil EcoOil Sports

Jose Rizal University may have just delivered the loudest statement even before the start of the NCAA season.

And if the Heavy Bombers would have it their way, this may very well be a preview of their dream coronation.

With heroes aplenty, JRU came through with a 74-67 Game Two victory to sweep San Beda and capture the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason crown on Thursday.

Lawrence Mangubat was the main stabilizer for the Kalentong crew, dropping 27 points, three rebounds, and three assists including the game-sealing freebies with 10.5 seconds left in front of a raucous crowd inside Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.

"Ayaw ko lang matalo," admitted the shifty guard who was named as the ABC Heavy Duty Tournament MVP.

But it was Mythical Team member Chris Hubilla who typified the mighty defense that enabled the Heavy Bombers this run to the top, with his block on Daniel Marcelo in the final minute all but snuffing the hopes out of the Red Lions to cap off his solid 8-point, 8-rebound, and 5-assist night.

Aside from the two though, coach Nani Epondulan flaunted the depth of this roster with numerous players stepping up in this clincher.

Stephen Garupil buried two crucial treys in the fourth that kept San Beda at bay for his nine points, Jahmir Eligado made the most of his suprise start and went a rebound shy of a double-double with his 10 points and nine boards, and Don Benito's Defensive Player Allan Laurenaria was in his element to rack up nine points, four boards, and two steals.

"From the start, yun naman ang tinatrabaho namin. Mentally naiready namin sila," said Epondulan.

Mangubat and Hubilla were joined by San Beda's Aldous Torculas, Letran's Titing Manalili, and University of the Philippines' Veejay Pre in the Mythical Team.

It's a sweet victory for JRU which only lost once this preseason and owned the number of San Beda, winning all of their three meetings in this tilt which has Hanes, Buffalo's Wings N Things, Wallem, BDO, Akari, Smart, Molten, Reyes Barbecue, Nature's Spring, EO Executive Optical, FWD Insurance, Tela.com Athletics, Brothers Burger, B’lue Vita Boost, Mejos Lechon Cebu, and Don Benito's as sponsors.

The Heavy Bombers were also finally able to lift the trophy after settling for runner-up honors way back in the inaugural tourney in 2006.

Zed Etulle paced the Red Lions in the losing cause with 14 points and four boards, as Torculas only had 13 in a tough 3-of-11 shooting from the field.

The Scores:
JRU 74 -- Mangubat 27, Eligado 10, Laurenaria 9, Garupil 9, Hubilla 8, Salvador 5, Masiglat 3, Palis 2, Panapanaan 1, Garcia 0, Herrera 0.
SAN BEDA 67 -- Etulle 14, Torculas 13, Marcelo 11, Puno 8, Songcuya 7, Bonzalida 6, Hawkins 5, Sarigumba 3, Estacio 0, RC. Calimag 0, Jamora 0, Ugaddan 0.
Quarters: 14-13, 29-28, 52-40, 74-67.

San Beda, JRU secure Filoil Preseason finals berths

c/o Filoil

 

Game on Tuesday
4 p.m. - Hanes 3-Point Shootout
(Game 1 of Best-of-3 Finals)
5 p.m. - JRU vs. San Beda

WHEN the dust settled, San Beda and Jose Rizal University turned out to be the last two teams standing in the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.

The Red Lions and the Heavy Bombers stunned their fancied foes on Sunday at Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan to arrange the first ever all-NCAA championship duel in the famed preseason league.

San Beda played inspired basketball and dethroned the defending three-time preseason champion University of the Philippines, 93-72, while JRU was in full control against Letran to earn the 82-73 victory.

Game One of the best-of-three finals series starts this Tuesday at the same venue.

Fighting Maroons-turned-Red Lions RC Calimag and Aldous Torculas were men on a mission in the contest as the Mendiola side shot a blazing 16-of-33 clip from downtown to eliminate State U from the competition and reach the championship for the first time since 2019.

Calimag caught fire early and commandeered San Beda's 12-0 start before finishing with 27 points built from six treys, as Torculas did a little bit of everything with his 14 points, three rebounds, and two assists.

Dom Sarigumba also chimed in 17 points, seven assists, and two boards, Penny Estacio got 11 points and six assists, and Zed Etulle nabbed a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds in the win in this tilt which has Hanes, Buffalo's Wings N Things, Wallem, BDO, Akari, Smart, Molten, Reyes Barbecue, Nature's Spring, EO Executive Optical, FWD Insurance, Tela.com Athletics, Brothers Burger, B’lue Vita Boost, Mejos Lechon Cebu, and Don Benito's as sponsors.

More than the triumph, however, it was an emotional victory for San Beda which dedicated the game to the late JV Gallego who tragically passed away on Saturday.

"[Gallego] embodied sacrifice and he's such a great inspiration for the team in terms of staying ready," said assistant coach Andre Santos. "The guys played inspired basketball, they played for something greater than themselves and the team, and they played for JV."

Ex-Red Lion James Payosing topped UP in the loss with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Defense, meanwhile, did the trick for the Heavy Bombers with Chris Hubilla and Allan Laurenaria leading the charge in stifling the red-hot Knights.

Hubilla uncorked 22 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, as Laurenaria recorded 11 points and 10 boards.

But it was Lawrence Mangubat who outplayed his counterparts with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Titing Manalili, however, kept Letran fighting as the Knights rallied from 23-points down and hit back-to-back threes to cut the deficit down to six, 79-73, with 44.0 seconds left.

But JRU did just enough in the endgame to pull off the win and enter the preseason finals for the first time since 2006 -- when the tournament was still named the Homegrown Cup and it settled for runner-up honors against La Salle.

"Sinasabi ko naman sa kanila na trabahuin nila ng tama and ito ngayon yung naging resulta," said coach Nani Epondulan.

Manalili shouldered the load for the Knights with 28 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.

The Scores:

First Game:
JRU 82 - Hubilla 22, Mangubat 19, Laurenaria 11, Salvador 11, Garupil 6, Eligado 6, Lozano 3, Panapanaan 2, Herrera 2, Garcia 0, Masiglat 0, Duque 0, Palis 0.
LETRAN 73 - Manalili 28, Estrada 12, Diamante 12, Buensalida 7, Santos 7, Cargo 4, Gammad 2, Siena 1, Sison-Walker 0, Hugo 0, Montecillo 0, Villanueva 0.
Quarters: 23-16, 47-36, 66-50, 82-73.

Second Game:
SAN BEDA 93 - Calimag 27, Sarigumba 17, Torculas 14, Estacio 11, Etulle 10, Bonzalida 8, Hawkins 2, Puno 2, Songcuya 2, Jamora 0, Jalbuena 0, Ugaddan 0.
UP 72 - Pre 10, Alter 10, Payosing 10, Poyos 9, Stevens 8, Palanca 8, Yniguez 8, Dimaculangan 4, Ogana 3, Bayla 2, Remogat 0, Andres 0.
Quarters: 24-15, 37-35, 68-48, 93-72.

UP, La Salle duel for Filoil Preseason top seed

Games on Monday
1 p.m. - Mapua vs. Perpetual
3 p.m. - San Beda vs. Letran
6 p.m. - UP vs. La Salle

NEW age rivals cross paths anew this Monday as University of the Philippines and La Salle collide in the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive at Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.

And their duel couldn't have come at a better time with high stakes hanging in the balance for the last three days of eliminations of the premier preseason league.

For the 4-0 Fighting Maroons, a win solidifies its position at the top of the UAAP Group ahead of the crossover quarterfinals and you bet, Veejay Pre, Rey Remogat, and James Payosing are determined to reinforce their position at the top of the table.

The Green Archers, on the other hand, are the hottest team in their bracket winning four straight to go up at 4-1, and Jacob Cortez, Mason Amos, and Vhoris Marasigan are all motivated to continue the defending UAAP champions' mastery against their foes from Diliman.

Moreover, a victory in the 6 p.m. game can force a tie for first with idle National U (5-1), all of which are still awaiting their playoff dates from the opposite bracket in this tourney which has Hanes, Buffalo's Wings N Things, Wallem, BDO, Akari, Smart, Molten, Reyes Barbecue, Nature's Spring, EO Executive Optical, FWD Insurance, Tela.com Athletics, Brothers Burger, B’lue Vita Boost, Mejos Lechon Cebu, and Don Benito's as sponsors.

But it's not the only rivalry game in the day's slate.

Letran and San Beda, both sporting 6-1 records, add another chapter to their storied battles in another Finals rematch from the last collegiate season come 3 p.m.

Titing Manalili has been the engine that has kept the Knights winning as they have emerged victorious in their last six outings, one that they want to sustain heading into the quarters.

Aldous Torculas, on the other hand, is just as stupendous for the Red Lions as he has been the absolute leader for this Mendiola pack.

Playoff-bound Mapua (6-1) also takes on also-ran Perpetual (3-4) in the 1 p.m. curtain raiser of this triple-header.

JRU stuns San Beda in Filoil Preseason matchup of unbeatens

c/o Filoil Preseason

Games Thursday
11 a.m. - EAC vs. Benilde
1 p.m. - San Sebastian vs. Perpetual
3 p.m. - NU vs. UST
5 p.m. - Gilas Youth vs. La Salle

JOSE Rizal University might have sent an early warning to the rest of the league.

The Heavy Bombers turned back erstwhile undefeated San Beda, 73-65, to move at solo first in the NCAA Group Wednesday in the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.

Chris Hubilla was in full control of the game for JRU with his 18 points and nine rebounds, while providing support were Allen Laurenaria's 15 points and nine boards and Lawrence Mangubat who had 14 points, four rebounds, and three steals.

But it was defense which did the trick, forcing San Beda to 20 turnovers and held high scoring Aldous Torculas to just five points on 2-for-7 shooting.

Sean Salvador was also instrumental for the Heavy Bombers late in the game, scoring seven of his 9 points in a crucial juncture in the fourth quarter to guide the Kalentong crew to their sixth straight victory 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.

RC Calimag was the lone Red Lion in double figures with his 21 points built from four three-pointers as they sunk to a 5-1 record.

Mapua also earned back-to-back wins after escaping Arellano in a thrilling 94-89 victory.

MC Cuenco sank the go-ahead dagger from the top of the arc with 58 seconds left to give the Cardinals a comfortable 92-86 lead before his assist to a Jaymark Lloren sealed the deal as they moved up to 3-1.

He finished with 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting from distance, while Yam Concepcion commandeered the paint with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.

Coach Chito Victolero, however, still feels in disbelief how his side pulled off the victory after Mapua committed 20 turnovers and gave up 42 free throws to Arellano.

"I don't know how we got the win, but yun nga, a win is a win," said the comebacking mentor after the Cardinals squandered a 15-point lead, 85-70, but still held on to the triumph.

It was a tough defeat for the winless Chiefs, which slid to a 0-6 slate, despite the return of T-Mc Ongotan who dropped 20 points and two assists.

The Scores:

First Game:
MAPUA 94 - Cuenco 17, Concepcion 12, Callangan 11, Pascual 10, Reyes 10, Diaz 8, Lazarte 8, Lloren 7, L. Nitura 5, Reyes 2, M. Nitura 2, Ryan 2, Igliane 0.
ARELLANO 89 - Ongotan 20, Valencia 18, Vinoya 14, Geronimo 9, Abiera 8, Borromeo 7, Manansala 4, Buenaventura 3, Camay 3, Ladica 3, Langit 0, Flores 0, Mendoza 0, Demetria 0, Barraca 0.
Quarters: 26-24, 52-44, 74-66, 94-89.

Second Game:
JRU 73 - Hubilla 18, Laurenaria 15, Mangubat 14, Salvador 9, Herrera 5, Eligado 4, Garupil 3, Duque 3, Garcia 2, Panapanaan 0, Masiglat 0.
SAN BEDA 65 - RC. Calimag 21, Etulle 9, Bonzalida 8, Marcelo 5, Torculas 5, Lina 5, Hawkins 4, Puno 3, Efron 3, Dabao 2, Jamora 0, Jalbuena 0, Ugaddan 0, Songcuya 0, Medroso 0.
Quarters: 15-21, 41-40, 56-51, 73-65.

La Salle squeaks through for third straight Filoil preseason win

c/o Filoil EcoOil Sports

La Salle survives Adamson for third straight Filoil Preseason win

Games Tuesday
3 p.m. - Benilde vs. San Sebastian
5 p.m. - Perpetual vs. EAC

LA Salle weathered the huge fourth quarter storm from Adamson to pull off the 85-82 squeaker Sunday in the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.

Luis Pablo scored two crucial baskets down the stretch for the Green Archers before Jacob Cortez iced the game with a cold-blooded trey with 19.7 seconds left to make it an 85-80 affair after the Taft side squandered a 25-point second half lead.

"Magandang reference ito para sa amin with what happened kanina. Yun ang kailangan namin i-work on sa team: to stay composed Lalo na sa situations na ganoon," said Pablo, who ended with a team-high 14 points to go with seven rebounds and two steals.

Cortez added 13 points, five boards, and five assists, while Vhoris Marasigan got 12 points and four rebounds to improve to a 3-1 record.

Yet La Salle had to sweat this one out especially after Adamson staged a 19-0 run to tie the game at 74 with 2:47 left and set up the frantic finish 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.

The valiant Soaring Falcons succumbed to their third loss following the withdrawal of Ateneo in the premier preseason tourney.

Jonah Precious led Adamson with 16 points and nine rebounds, as Manu Anabo shot a pair of treys for his 14 points.

San Beda and Jose Rizal University also continued to flourish atop the NCAA Group, extending their unbeaten records to five wins.

The Red Lions fended off a pesky Perpetual side, 62-60, thanks to the late game heroics of RC Calimag.

He finished with 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals, including the clutch dagger three that gave San Beda a 61-56 lead with 1:34 to play.

Aldous Torculas continued his fine form with 11 points, six boards, two assists, two steals, and two blocks, as Menard Songcuya added nine in another balanced attack for the Mendiola crew.

The Altas absorbed their third loss in four games with JD Pagulayan and Angelo Gelsano both scoring eight.

Meanwhile, the Heavy Bombers got their act together in the fourth to stun Emilio Aguinaldo College, 87-84.

Lawrence Mangubat spearheaded the 24-point payoff period assault with 25 points, four rebounds, and nine assists, while also drawing significant contribution from backcourt partners Stephen Garupil and Sean Salvador, who combined for 23.

The Generals slipped to their third defeat of the tournament to fall to 1-4 despite MJ Raymundo's 16 points.

Mapua also manhandled St. Benilde, 84-67, for its second win in eight outings.

Marc Cyrus Cuenco uncorked 19 points, four assists, and four steals as the Cardinals' defense forced the Blazers to 22 miscues.

Marc Igliane chipped in 13 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Cyrus Nitura got a double-double of 12 points and 10 boards to push Mapua to 2-1.

CSB fell to a 2-3 record with Joshua Cajucom topscoring for the Blazers with 13 points.

The Scores:

First Game:
JRU 87 - Mangubat 25, Garupil 12, Salvador 11, Laurenaria 8, Masiglat 8, Garcia 8, Duque 8, Eligado 4, Peñaverde 3, Panapanaan 0, Castillo 0, Agemenyi 0.
EAC 84 - M. Raymundo 16, Nunag 15, Shanoda 12, Bagay 11, Coronel 8, Bonus 7, Namoro 4, Ochavo 3, Castillo 3, Sealey 3, Postanes 2, Luna 0.
Quarters: 18-26, 44-45, 63-67, 87-84.

Second Game:
SAN BEDA 62 - Torculas 11, RC. Calimag 11, Marcelo 9, Songcuya 9, Etulle 7, Dabao 3, Ri. Calimag 3, Vailoces 3, Hawkins 2, Jamora 2, Ugaddan 2, Bonzalida 0, Culdora 0, Sarigumba 0, Medroso 0, Efron 0.
PERPETUAL 60 - Gelsano 8, Pagulayan 8, Orgo 7, Borja 7, Maglupay 6, Casinillo 6, Cristino 5, Tulabut 4, Roluna 4, Duremdes 3, Gojo Cruz 2, Caugiran 0, Thompson 0, Baldoria 0, Tabbuan 0, Montemayor 0.
Quarters: 16-14, 32-30, 47-42, 62-60.

Third Game:
MAPUA 84 - Cuenco 19, Igliane 13, M. Nitura 12, L. Nitura 9, Pascual 7, Concepcion 6, Diaz 6, Lazarte 4, Callangan 2, Reyes 2, Ryan 2, Sacro 2, Lloren 0.
BENILDE 67 - Cajucom 13, Torres 11, Sanchez 8, Liwag 7, Moore 7, Ancheta 7, Gonzaga 6, Jarque 5, Arejola 3, Go 0, Ison 0, Ortega 0, Arciaga 0.
Quarters: 15-16, 39-40, 59-51, 84-67.

Fourth Game:
LA SALLE 85 - Pablo 14, Cortez 13, Marasigan 12, Abadam 9, Macalalag 7, Amos 7, Cibull 7, Melencio 7, Dungo 5, Daep 2, Gollena 2, Gagate 0, Sharma 0, Quines 0.
ADAMSON 82 - Precious 16, Anabo 14, Edding 14, Montebon 13, Medina 8, Sajili 6, Torres 4, Jaymalin 3, Cruz-Dumont 2, Mangaron 1, Demisana 1, Perez 0, Pacquiao 0.
Quarters: 31-19, 53-35, 72-53, 85-82.

La Salle claims back-to-back wins, San Beda, JRU extend winning run to four straight in Filoil Preseason

c/o Filoil

Games Sunday
11 a.m. - JRU vs. EAC
1 p.m. - San Beda vs. Perpetual
3 p.m. - Benilde vs. Mapua
5 p.m. - Adamson vs. La Salle

LA Salle survived Mo Konateh's monster game while San Beda and Jose Rizal University continued to pace the NCAA Group in the Independence Day staging of the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive on Friday.

Jacob Cortez and rookie Jason Cibull connived in guiding the Green Archers to back-to-back wins as they held off Far Eastern University, 82-77 at Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.

Cortez led the way with 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Cibull added 14 markers to move up to 2-1.

"My teammates gave me a lot of trust and I have a lot of trust in myself. Those shots I took earlier, I worked a lot on those. Today it wasn’t just following but my teammates are getting the rebound, they’re doing the hustle. Whatever I don’t do they’re there to do it and we have a lot of trust to each other," said Cortez.

Konateh shouldered the load for the Tamaraws with 29 points and 12 rebounds, but that can't halt their freefall to their third straight defeat to sink to 1-3 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.

The Red Lions also preserved their unblemished 4-0 record with a 95-89 win over St. Benilde in the nightcap.

Aldous Torculas erupted for 28 points and six rebounds, including two clutch triples that gave the Red Lions a 93-87 breathing room in the final minute.

Zedjay Etulle also collected 14 points, while RC Calimag delivered down the stretch and finished with 12 points, two rebounds, and three assists.

Jhomel Ancheta stepped up for the 2-2 Blazers with 17 points, as Zenric Jarque and Matthew Jucom contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively.

The Heavy Bombers also stayed spotless in four games after pulling off a 73-67 comeback win over Arellano.

Trailing by three entering the final canto, the Heavy Bombers leaned on their defense to shut down the Chiefs, holding them to just 10 points in the payoff period to complete the turnaround.

Jalen Garcia led JRU with 21 points, six rebounds, and one assist, while Allan Laurenaria stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Winless Arellano, meanwhile, absorbed its fifth straight defeat despite keeping things close for most of the game. Aaron Manansala and Troy Valencia paced the Chiefs with 11 points apiece.

Letran also extended its winning streak to six after edging Lyceum of the Philippines University, 86-83, in a down-to-the-wire finish.

Jimboy Estrada delivered the biggest shot of the night with a crucial triple before Aaron Buensalida knocked down two charities in the clutch to seal the win.

Estrada finished with 16 points and two assists, Buensalida got 14 points and seven rebounds, and Titing Manalili registered 13 points, seven assists, and four boards for the Knights, which rose to 6-1.

Renz Villegas led LPU (2-5) with 16 points in the loss.

The Scores:

First Game:
JRU 73 - Garcia 21, Laurenaria 18, Herrera 9, Mangubat 7, Masiglat 5, Garupil 4, Eligado 4, Panapanaan 3, Peñaverde 2, Duque 0, Castillo 0, Agemenyi 0.
ARELLANO 67 - Valencia 11, Manansala 11, Camay 9, Vinoya 8, Hernal 8, Ladica 6, Geronimo 4, Buenaventura 3, Abiera 3, Flores 2, Borromeo 2, Langit 0, Demetria 0.
Quarters: 20-15, 35-37, 54-57, 73-67.

Second Game:
LETRAN 86 - Estrada 16, Buensalida 14, Manalili 13, Sison-Walker 8, Siena 8, Cargo 7, Gammad 6, Santos 6, Diamante 4, Montecillo 2, Silorio 2, Hugo 0, Valdeavilla 0, Lim 0.
LPU 83 - Villegas 16, Rubico 15, Manuel 10, Almario 9, Ondoa 8, Aurigue 6, Peñafiel 6, Matienzo 4, Daileg 4, Fuentes 3, Cardinas 2, Aviles 0, Pallingayan 0, Panelo 0.
Quarters: 27-25, 49-49, 67-63, 86-83.

Third Game:
LA SALLE 82 - Cortez 18, Cibull 14, Amos 9, Marasigan 8, Dungo 7, Abadam 6, Macalalag 6, Pablo 6, Gagate 4, Gollena 4, Daep 0, Melencio 0.
FEU 77 - Konateh 29, Bautista 15, Cabonilas 11, Pasaol 8, Daa 7, Burgos 5, Hall 2, Montemayor 0, Mahmood 0, Rañeses 0.
Quarters: 24-19, 44-41, 59-55, 82-77.

Fourth Game:
SAN BEDA 95 - Torculas 28, Etulle 14, RC. Calimag 12, Bonzalida 9, Marcelo 8, Jalbuena 5, Songcuya 4, Jamora 3, Efron 3, Ri. Calimag 3, Hawkins 2, Sarigumba 2, Dabao 2, Lina 0, Culdora 0, Medroso 0.
BENILDE 89 - Ancheta 17, Jarque 15, Jucom 14, Liwag 9, Moore 7, Celis 6, Go 6, Morales 5, Arciaga 4, Daja 3, Baliquig 3, Podador 0.
Quarters: 20-26, 46-45, 67-68, 95-89.

Letran seeks fourth straight in Filoil Preseason

Games Tuesday at the Playtime Filoil Centre
11 a.m. - JRU vs. LPU
1 p.m. - EAC vs. Letran
3 p.m. - Arellano vs. Perpetual
5 p.m. - Adamson vs. UST

JUNE seemed to have changed the air in University of Santo Tomas as it finally chalked one in the win column in the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.

Now, the Growling Tigers want to make it two-in-a-row when they face Adamson on Tuesday at Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.

The two squads collide at 5 p.m. in the main event of another quadruple-header as they jostle for position in the UAAP Group.

UST (1-2) is coming off a 83-75 win over Far Eastern U last Saturday with Gelo Crisostomo taking the lead role.

"We want to show composure, na kahit nakakahabol yung mga kalaban, nakakarecover yung team," said assistant coach Japs Cuan of that last outing.

Meanwhile, Adamson suffered its second straight defeat after being walloped by Ateneo, 72-52.

It was a performance that the boys of coach Nash Racela would rather forget especially after the team fired a horrid 17-percent from distance.

Meanwhile, Letran is starting to gain steam in the NCAA Group, winning its last three games and is motivated to sustain that run against Emilio Aguinaldo College at 1 p.m. of this premier preseason tourney 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.

Titing Manalili, Jimboy Estrada, and rookie George Diamante have been impressive in the Knights' last outing, an 83-72 win over Mapua, and would want to keep it up against the well-rested Generals, which last played in May 19 and gutted out a 91-88 overtime win over Arellano.

Undefeated Jose Rizal University (2-0) raise the curtains at 11 a.m. against slumping Lyceum of the Philippines University (1-3), while winless teams Arellano and Perpetual, both trotting 0-2 cards, part ways at 3 p.m.

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.

Three newcomers build optimism heading into Filoil Preseason

NEW beginnings start at the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.

And it's much the truth for three of collegiate basketball's newest shot-callers as they kickstart their preparations for their mother leagues in the 19th staging of the famed preseason league.

Chito Victolero, Jamike Jarin, and Tony Tan are all seeking to get their programs off and running as they get a first hand look at the competition they're about to brace for.

Victolero is actually returning to his alma mater Mapua after previously calling the shots from 2009 to 2012.

Times, though have changed, from Victolero's resume now adding a PBA champion coach to his name when he steered Magnolia to the Governors' Cup crown back in 2018, to the Cardinals reeling from a season where they got dethroned.

Without main man Clint Escamis, Mapua will now rely on holdovers MC Cuenco, Cyrus Nitura, Ivan Lazarte, and Yam Concepcion.

Jarin, on the other hand, is also making a comeback to the collegiate scene with Lyceum of the Philippines U.

His task, however, is shaping up to be an enormous one as the Pirates hope to rekindle the level of success he's had in the past, most notably when he led San Beda to the NCAA title in 2016.

And LPU means business in achieving that, with Mclaude Guadana returning to the team as he joins homegrown guards Matt Rubico and Greg Cunanan in this year's campaign.

Tony Tan, meanwhile, will be San Sebastian's fourth coach in as many years, with the once proud program hoping that this finally will be the right reboot for the team.

The Fil-Canadian coach is coming in with a lot of promise, one that is badly needed by the Golden Stags which have been in the league's cellar for the past three years.

San Sebastian is banking on new blood led by rookie Carlo Ynot and holdovers Polo Gabat and Christian Ricio for this rebuild as it hopes to erase the bitter memories of last year's winless run in the preseason.

Filoil preseason set for May 17 opening

Preseason basketball officially kicks into high gear next month, with the 19th edition of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup set to open on May 17 at its hub, the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

Teams from both the UAAP and NCAA are set to tangle, with the champion to be crowned on July 18.

The University of the Philippines is seeking to claim its fourth straight title in this tournament, as it attempts to reclaim the UAAP men's basketball crown back from La Salle.

Even with the departure of its senior core, the Maroons will be ready for their title defense, led by its transfer standouts Veejay Pre, Rey Remogat, and Gani Stevens.

The Green Archers, fresh from their title exploits in dispatching UP in the league, will still have Jacob Cortez running the show, but expect some adjustments with the departure of Mike Phillips and Kean Baclaan. 

Set to make its return after sitting out the last few editions is Ateneo, which is set to parade a bunch of newcomers led by Kieffer Alas.

As for the NCAA, San Beda and Letran lead the way, while the College of Saint Benilde is also ready to impress. Jose Rizal University and Emilio Aguinaldo College, who have up-and-coming guards Sean Salvador and EJ Castillo, respectively, potentially surprising as they continue their preparations for the 102nd season of the Grand Old League.

The format from the past few seasons will be retained, as all UAAP schools will be placed in one group with the NCAA institutions on the other. After their groups go through a single round robin, the knockout rounds begin with the crossover quarterfinals.

A new element for this season is the appointment of BJ Manalo as the tournament's commissioner, supporting coaching legend Joe Lipa. The former La Salle collegiate standout is the latest addition to the tournament staff, which is still led by Virgil Villavicencio (chairman), Bert dela Rosa (deputy commissioner), Bennett Palad (tournament director) and Diana Layug (general manager). 

Manalo shares, "It's a wonderful privilege to be in touch with the current players and the current head coaches, and to have this chance to learn from coach Joe. This is special."

Supporting the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup are ABC Tile Adhesive, Hanes, Wallem, Molten, Reyes Barbecue, Nature's Spring, BDO, Akari, and Tela.com Athletics.

Statement on UP's pullout from the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup

Here is the statement from the league re: UP not participating in the quarterfinals and onwards next week. 

Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup officials announced the pullout of the University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team for the remainder of the tournament.

In a joint statement with UP team officials, the matter was clarified for all fans, media, teams participating in the competition, and the league organizers.

“It is with regret that we announce the pulling out of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the quarterfinals stage of the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.”

Prior to the start of the tournament, we made plans on training abroad in the United States,” clarified head coach Bo Perasol. “Our training abroad was contingent upon our securing visas for our players of which there was no guarantee. As a team, we agreed that if we cannot be complete in our training abroad, we will not go at all."

“Since we have competed every year in the Filoil flying V Preseason Cup, we went ahead and took part. We received the approval of the approval of all our players the same week as we played our final match of the elimination round of Filoil against UST prompting us to scramble for our plans in training abroad.”

“The window for our training is small and unfortunately, it ran across the same time as the quarterfinals and onwards of the tournament.”

“We regret pulling out and promise to make this up in future Filoil Flying V Preseason Cups.”

“We deeply apologize to the fans, the media, the other teams in participating in the tournament, and most especially to the organizers of this wonderful tournament.”

The Centro Escolar University Scorpions, who finished fifth in Group A of the two division men’s basketball competition will take their place.

The quarterfinals tips off on Monday, June 17, 2019, at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup set for 13th season

The premier preseason tournament for collegiate basketball is set to kick off its 13th season this Sunday.

The Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup is set to commence with a triple-header at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan, highlighted by a pair of interesting collegiate match-ups.

At 2pm, new-look La Salle will be taking to the floor against a souped up University of Santo Tomas, which will then be followed by defending NCAA champions San Beda facing last season's losing finalists in the UAAP, the University of the Philippines.

All ten NCAA schools and six of the eight UAAP schools are set to participate in the seniors division, with both Ateneo de Manila and the University of the East citing their overseas training as the reason for their non-participation. The defending Preseason Cup champions will be unable to conduct their title defense due to the upcoming Jones Cup campaign.

Serving as the curtain-raiser at 11am is a new initiative by the league, a 11-under division composed of ten teams. Opening that specific tournament is a matchup between La Salle-Zobel and Xavier.

The high school division starts the next day, May 6, with two matches: Mapua/Malayan faces off against San Beda at 10am, followed by La Salle-Greenhills against Far Eastern University. Twelve squads will duke it out, led by the defending UAAP champions, Nazareth-NU. They will kick off against La Salle-Greenhills in a rematch of the NBTC National Finals.

The league is also bringing back one of its major side events from last year, the Hanes 1-on-1 tournament. CSB's Prince Carlos was the inaugural winner, and could potentially return for a title defense.

In addition, there will be an All-Star Game scheduled on the end of the month, with the best of the UAAP going up against the best of the NCAA. Tournament Director Joey Guillermo hinted in using social media to help determine who will be starting for each team, with the coaches set to fill out the rest of their respective All-Star squads.

Overall Tournament Commissioner Ato Badolato shares, "Every year, there is much anticipation for the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup because this is the tournament where teams can only field their actual line-ups for the upcoming NCAA and UAAP seasons,” pointed out over-all tournament commissioner Edmundo “Ato” Badolato. “There are new rookies, players who switch teams, newly-appointed coaches, and this year, this is last we will see of foreign players in the NCAA. Maybe for some, it will be emotional."

Sports5 has secured broadcast rights and will be showing select matches on their social media accounts, as well as on 5Plus.

Tickets for the matches can be purchased either at the gate or via Ticketnet.

For more information about the 13th Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, one can check out their official Facebook page (Filoil Flying V Sports).

San Beda set to make Filoil preseason debut

Today's action at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan is highlighted by the season debut of the San Beda Red Lions.

Last season's NCAA losing finalists are set to face the University of the East in the third game of a quintiple-header scheduled from morning and end at night.

Jamike Jarin will have to deal with the departures of Ola Adeogun, Art dela Cruz, and Baser Amer, as he and the rest of his coaching staff will try to pick up the pieces with a younger and smaller lineup.

In addressing the roster attrition, the Red Lions will look at holdovers Ranbill Tongco, Javee Mocon, Donald Tankoua, AC Soberano, and newly-minted team captain Dan Sara to lead the team. New faces Robert Bolick, Davon Potts, Arnaud Noah, and Calvin Ofpana add athleticism and depth to the side, which is set to continue with Jarin's pressing style.

Red Lions team manager Jude Roque noted that the coaching staff plans to utilize anywhere from 12-13 players per match given their style of play. “It will be a spread out offense with the team on the floor based on match-ups and need. You won’t find a designated scorer because in what we want, anyone can shoot as the play dictates it."

Serving as their first opposition is a deadly UE side that defeated Lyceum in its latest outing, 91-75, last May 11.

Trailing by 5 at the break, the Red Warriors unleashed a second-half barrage on the Pirates anchored on their press defense. Forcing 19 turnovers for 27 points, Derrick Pumaren's crack unit rattled Topex Robinson's backcourt combination of Jesper Ayaay, Dexter Zamora, Shaq Alanes, and Edcor Marata into 14 of those turnovers. Alvin Pasaol led UE with 17 points.

Following this all-Red matchup is La Salle attempting to remain unbeaten in their face-off against Mapua Cardinals. The retooled Green Archers are seeking their third straight win in the tournament, as they try to keep up with fellow undefeated side Perpetual. The other collegiate matchup sees Adamson and Letran try to secure their second win in this tournament at 130pm.

In high school action, La Salle-Zobel makes their tournament debut in the opening match of the day against Lyceum at 1115am.

UAAP Season 78's losing finalists will have to deal with the departure of key guys Aljun Melecio, Marco Sario, and Brent Paraiso, as they go up against the Junior Pirates of head coach LA Mumar.

Capping the quintple-header is the matchup of EAC-ICA against La Salle-Greenhills at 645pm.