Filoil: Veejay Pre's double-double powers unbeaten UP past NU

Veejay Pre picked up where he left off from last game to help University of the Philippines repel National University, 76-67, and remain unbeaten in the 2026 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Tuesday.

The former FEU star led on both ends to finish with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds to go with four assists as the three-time defending champions improved to 2-0 while NU dropped to 1-1.

Pre, who posted 17 markers and four boards in their opener win over University of Santo Tomas, got help from Gani Stevens and Francis Nnoruka as they chipped in 14 and 10 points.

Another transferee in Rainer Maga made it rain early in the opening frame to fuel a blistering 21-2 start for UP before Nnoruka converted a layup to turn it into a huge 28-8 cushion.

But the Bulldogs mounted a comeback as Reinhard Jumamoy buried a triple to trim the deficit to just five, 61-66, midway through the fourth quarter.

However, UP responded with a decisive closing run as Bayla knocked down a huge three-pointer before Pre and Stevens converted back-to-back layups to restore a comfortable 74-63 cushion with 2:24 remaining.

NU, which was coming off a stunner over reigning UAAP champion La Salle, was led by Jumamoy's 20-point showing and 10-point efforts each from PJ Palacielo and Justine Garcia.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News