For the primary time within the historical past of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, a staff seized three titles in a row.
This, after powerhouse College of the Philippines dominated fellow UAAP staff Nationwide College, 79-65, to reign supreme within the 2025 version on Sunday, clinching a uncommon three-peat feat within the annual preseason showcase.
The Preventing Maroons have been comfortably holding a 22-point lead after huge man Gani Stevens sank a pair of free throws that pushed UP’s result in 74-52 early within the fourth.
However the Bulldogs staged a large fightback after making the most of foul-plagued UP with Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez, and Kinshin Padrones mixed for seven straight freebies that trimmed their deficit to 13, 65-78, within the remaining 1:44.
NU, although, missed their subsequent pictures as Harold Alarcon sealed the ultimate shot with a cut up on the road as UP clinched what no staff has ever accomplished earlier than.
Francis Nnoruka led the cost with a double-double of 15 factors and 12 rebounds to go along with two assists and one block whereas Gerry Abadiano and Stevens every poured 13 markers. Stevens additionally grabbed 9 boards, 4 dimes, and a steal.
Figueroa and Padrones paced NU with 12 and 10 factors apiece as NU completed as runner-up after a gallant run within the event, which noticed them make the championship spherical regardless of being the fourth-ranked staff after the elimination spherical.
Scores:
UP 79 – Figueroa 12, Padrones 10, Santiago 9, Palacielo 6, Manansala 6, Francisco 6, Enriquez 4, John 4, Jumamoy 3, Garcia 3, Dela Cruz 2, Solomon 0, Parks 0, Navarro 0.
NU 65 – Nnoruka 15, Abadiano 13, Stevens 13, Remogat 8, Torres 7, Alarcon 7, Fortea 6, Alter 4, Yniguez 3, Belmonte 2, Bayla 1, Briones 0, Felicilda 0.
Quarters: 27-21, 48-37, 70-49, 79-65.
—JKC, GMA Built-in Information
