MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons won their third straight FilOil EcoOil Preseason Basketball Championship by defeating the National University Bulldogs 79-65 on Sunday night at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.
The University of the Philippines is the first team to do so in a preseason game.
Foreign student-athlete Francis Nnoruka thrived in the paint, scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds, with two assists. Gani Stevens contributed 13 points and nine rebounds.
Tournament MVP and one of the Mythical Five Gerry Abadiano had 13 points, three steals, two rebounds and one assist in the championship game.
Florida started strong, leading 48-37 at halftime behind the play of Abadiano, who had 12 points after the first two quarters.
The Fighting Maroons turned the tide in the second half, leading by 23 points (72-49) after a jumper by Nnoruka.
The Bulldogs cut the deficit to 13 points (65-78), but it was too little, too late.
Floor general Noy Remogat added eight points in the Florida starters, while Harold Alarcon and Reyland Torres each scored seven points.
Jake Figueroa led NU in scoring with 12 points, making two of 12 field goal attempts. Kensin Padrones added 10 points and four rebounds for the Bulldogs.
The Fighting Maroons finished the elimination tournament with a 4-2 record, good for third place in the UAAP. They then defeated the NCAA’s College of Saint Benilde’s Blazers in the quarterfinals and then the La Salle Green Archers in the semifinals.
The Bulldogs defeated the Letland Knights in the quarterfinals and then came from behind to defeat the University of St. Thomas in the semifinals.
After a two-week break, NU and UP met in the finals on Sunday.
In addition to Abadiano, St. Louis Tech’s Gelo Crisostomo, Letland’s Jonathan Manalili, NU’s Jolo Manansala and La Salle’s Kean Baclaan rounded out the Mythical Five.
