Three-peat pre-season champs UP Fighting Maroons set sights on defending UAAP crown

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons have secured a historic third consecutive pre-season championship, marking a strong start to their campaign as they prepare to defend their UAAP title in Season 88 next month. Following productive training in Serbia and an undefeated off-season, the team will intensify preparations at home ahead of the mid-September league opener.

UP anticipates a challenging title defense against seven rivals, notably modern-day foe De La Salle University. This rivalry intensified after UP defeated La Salle 2-1 in the UAAP Season 87 finals—securing their second title in four consecutive finals appearances—and later eliminating them in the Filoil preseason semi-finals.

Team captain Gerry Abadiano, named MVP of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, emphasized that the "main goal is the UAAP." He led UP to a 79-65 finals victory over National University, earning the ECJ Perpetual Trophy and making UP the first team to achieve a three-peat in the tournament. Despite losing Finals MVP JD Cagulangan and key players Quentin Millora-Brown and Francis Lopez, UP retains a strong core including Harold Alarcon, Jacob Bayla, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, and Gani Stevens. The squad is further bolstered by the addition of former UAAP Mythical Team member Rey Remogat—returning after a transfer-related hiatus—and new Nigerian foreign student-athlete Francis Nnoruka.