FilOil: FEU deals UP its first loss; Benilde escapes JRU in OT behind Liwag game-winner

Far Eastern University stunned the erstwhile unbeaten and defending champion University of the Philippines with an 85-76 win in the 2026 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Tuesday.

The Tamaraws drew a strong performance from their starting unit, led by Mo Konateh, who delivered a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Kirby Mangcopa added 21 points and seven rebounds as FEU spoiled the return of former teammate Veejay Pre, who is now suiting up for the Fighting Maroons after spending a season with the Tamaraws.

Jorick Bautista and reigning UAAP MVP Janrey Pasaol chipped in 16 and 14 markers as they dealt UP its first loss for a 5-1 card. FEU, meanwhile, improved to 2-3 ahead of its final elimination round game against Adamson University on Wednesday.

Pre was limited to four points and five rebounds but it was Sean Alter who top-scored for UP with 19 points off the bench.

In another game, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde also carved out a massive win after surviving Jose Rizal University in overtime, 81-80, behind Allen Liwag.

With the Blazers down by one in the final 9.4 seconds of overtime, Liwag, the reigning back-to-back NCAA MVP, drove to the paint, escaped three JRU defenders, and sank the game-winning layup.

Liwag finished with 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists as Benilde capped its FilOil preseason campaign with a huge victory to finish with a 5-4 record.

Despite the narrow loss, JRU will still advance to the quarterfinals with a 7-2 record.

In the first game, Arellano University blew out San Sebastian College-Recoletos with a 103-78 win behind veterans T-Mc Ongotan, EJ Geronimo, and Renzo Abiera.

Ongotan shone with 17 points while his fellow holdovers Geronimo and Abiera chipped in 15 and 13 markers apiece as the also-ran Chiefs broke through for a 1-8 card while keeping San Sebastian winless at 0-9.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News