UP fends off NU to capture first-ever Filoil Preseason three-peat

For the first time in the history of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, a team seized three titles in a row. 

This, after powerhouse University of the Philippines dominated fellow UAAP team National University, 79-65, to reign supreme in the 2025 edition on Sunday, clinching a rare three-peat feat in the annual preseason showcase. 

The Fighting Maroons were comfortably holding a 22-point lead after big man Gani Stevens sank a pair of free throws that pushed UP's lead to 74-52 early in the fourth. 

But the Bulldogs staged a massive fightback after taking advantage of foul-plagued UP with Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez, and Kinshin Padrones combined for seven straight freebies that trimmed their deficit to 13, 65-78, in the final 1:44. 

NU, though, missed their next shots as Harold Alarcon sealed the final shot with a split on the line as UP clinched what no team has ever done before. 

Francis Nnoruka led the charge with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds to go with two assists and one block while Gerry Abadiano and Stevens each poured 13 markers. Stevens also grabbed nine boards, four dimes, and a steal. 

Figueroa and Padrones paced NU with 12 and 10 points apiece as NU finished as runner-up after a gallant run in the tournament, which saw them make the championship round despite being the fourth-ranked team after the elimination round. 

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.

Quarters: 27-21, 48-37, 70-49, 79-65.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News