UP Fighting Maroons, NU Bulldogs dispute 2025 Filoil Preseason crown

The UP Fighting Maroons and the NU Bulldogs will face off in a one-game championship final for the PlayTime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at the PlayTime Filoil Centre in San Juan. UP seeks a historic third consecutive title to win the ECJ Perpetual Trophy, while NU aims to reclaim the crown they last won in 2022.

Both coaches anticipate a tough battle. UP coach Goldwin Monteverde acknowledged NU as a "tough team" and a "big challenge." NU coach Jeff Napa stated the game "won't be easy," admitting his team are underdogs but emphasizing the importance of focusing on "playing our game."

Key players for UP include Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, and Terrence Fortea. NU will rely on Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, and Steve Nash Enriquez. The tournament features major sponsors PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas, along with several minor sponsors including Spalding as the official game ball.

Preceding the championship game, the Hanes 3-Point Shootout will take place at 4:30 p.m. The eight-man field features UP's Terrence Fortea, NU's Reinhard Jumamoy, Adamson's Matty Erolon, UST's Kyle Paranada, La Salle's Mason Amos, UE's John Abate, Benilde's Ernest Daja, and EAC's Nico Quinal.