Filoil Preseason Finals run a proof that the UP Fighting Maroons are still the gold standard

The UP Fighting Maroons are one victory away from securing their third consecutive title in the Filoil preseason tournament after advancing to the championship game of the PlayTime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup. Despite experiencing rare back-to-back losses during the elimination round and entering the quarterfinals as the third seed, the team demonstrated resilience by winning critical matches to stay in contention.

Key victories included a narrow 82-80 win over St. Benilde in the quarterfinals to avoid elimination, followed by an 83-78 semifinal triumph against La Salle on July 11, highlighted by Rey Remogat's standout performance. Coach Goldwin Monteverde attributed their success to collective team effort and adaptability, relying on dependable veterans like Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, and Harold Alarcon throughout the journey.

A championship win would earn UP the ECJ Perpetual Trophy, marking an unprecedented third straight preseason crown. However, Monteverde emphasized that beyond trophies, the team's focus is on continuous improvement and learning from each game, viewing the finals appearance as a significant accomplishment that enhances player development. Attention now shifts to the final against rivals National University, with the team maintaining a hunger for growth.