Mighty UP eyes FilOil preseason 3-peat as underdog NU stakes upset bid

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Defending UAAP men's basketball champion UP and perennial Final Four contender NU duke it out for a winner-take-all FilOil preseason final as the Maroons gun for three titles in a row

MANILA, Philippines – After more than two months of solid basketball action, the 2025 FilOil Preseason Cup comes down to one final game on Sunday, July 27, as defending UAAP champion UP seeks a third straight preseason title at the expense of perennial UAAP Final Four contender NU.

Owning respective records of 4-2 and 3-3 heading into the playoffs, the Fighting Maroons and Bulldogs are gunning for a strong finish to the annual tournament especially after a lengthy two-week break.

For UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde, a successful three-peat clincher against the ever-gritty NU standouts can mean the world for the Maroons program, which lost huge key cogs in Francis Lopez, Quentin Millora-Brown, and JD Cagulangan to greener career pastures.

“We know NU is a tough team, and it’s going to be a big challenge for us when we face them,” the soft-spoken yet battle-tested mentor said.

Now moving to prove their mettle for Monteverde on their biggest stage yet are UP’s top two incoming recruits for UAAP Season 88, namely former UE star guard Noy Remogat and foreign student-athlete Francis Nnoruka.

Meanwhile, NU is also looking for validation to its preseason preparations in the form of gleaming gold right after losing blue-chip recruits to other collegiate programs.

“It won’t be easy. We know we’re underdogs in this fight but what’s important is we just play our game,” said fiery Bulldogs coach Jeff Napa in Filipino.

Still by the NU legend’s side ahead of Season 88 are his trusty veterans like Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez, Jolo Manansala, Reinhard Jumamoy, Omar John, and many other crucial holdovers in the Bulldogs’ big rotation.

With two weeks of preparation done for this knockout affair, both UP and NU are heading to Sunday’s clash recharged and laser-focused for one final slugfest.

Tip-off is at 5:30 pm at the FilOil San Juan Arena. – Rappler.com