Filoil: San Beda ends Mapua streak, sets up QF clash vs. La Salle

San Beda University flexed its championship pedigree, shutting down the surging Mapua University with a convincing 68-49 victory in the 2026 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Wednesday.

With the win, the reigning NCAA champions clinched the No. 2 seed in their group at 7-2, arranging a blockbuster quarterfinal clash with defending UAAP champion De La Salle University.

The other QF pairings will see the University of the Philippines facing Mapua, Colegio de San Juan de Letran taking on the University of Santo Tomas, and Jose Rizal University locking horns with National University.

In a total display of dominance, San Beda took control of the game against Mapua from the get-go with Zed Etulle and JC Bonzalida pouring in 14 points each while rookie Andrei Ugaddan posted 11 markers off the bench as the Red Lions played without Jomel Puno.

In other games, Far Eastern University and Lyceum of the Philippines University gutted out victories over Adamson University and Emilio Aguinaldo College, respectively, to end their campaigns.

The Tamaraws, who are coming off an 85-76 stunner over UP just the day before, carved out a 79-63 win against the Soaring Falcons behind another double-double effort from Mo Konateh, who dropped 21 points and 12 rebounds.

The locals also stepped up with rookie star Cabs Cabonillas and Kirby Mangcopa each churning out 14 markers as they exited with a 3-3 card.

Also-ran LPU likewise saved its best for last by escaping EAC, 95-91, with veteran guard Renz Villegas taking charge with 27 points and four assists as they improved to 3-6.

—JKC, GMA News