UP fends off NU to capture first-ever Filoil Preseason three-peat

For the first time in Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup history, a team has achieved a three-peat championship. The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons accomplished this feat by defeating fellow UAAP team National University (NU) Bulldogs 79-65 in the 2025 final on Sunday.

UP established a commanding 22-point lead early in the fourth quarter (74-52) after Gani Stevens made two free throws. However, NU mounted a significant comeback, capitalizing on UP's foul trouble. Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez, and Kinshin Padrones combined for seven consecutive free throws, cutting UP's lead to 13 points (65-78) with 1:44 remaining. NU missed subsequent shots, and UP's Harold Alarcon sealed the victory with a split free throw, securing the historic three-peat.

Francis Nnoruka led UP with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds, plus two assists and one block. Gerry Abadiano and Gani Stevens each contributed 13 points, with Stevens adding nine rebounds, four assists, and a steal. For NU, Jake Figueroa scored 12 points and Kinshin Padrones added 10 points, finishing as tournament runners-up after a gallant run that saw them reach the final as the fourth-ranked team from the elimination round.

The final scores by quarter were: 27-21, 48-37, 70-49, 79-65. UP's scoring leaders were Nnoruka (15), Abadiano (13), Stevens (13), Remogat (8), Torres (7), Alarcon (7), Fortea (6), Alter (4), Yniguez (3), Belmonte (2), Bayla (1). NU's top scorers were Figueroa (12), Padrones (10), Santiago (9), Palacielo (6), Manansala (6), Francisco (6), Enriquez (4), John (4), Jumamoy (3), Garcia (3), Dela Cruz (2).