San Beda University and Jose Rizal University will get to battle for the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup crown after pulling off semifinal upsets on Sunday in San Juan.
The Red Lions overwhelmed defending three-time champion University of the Philippines, 93-72. On the other hand, the Heavy Bombers held off Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 82-73, to complete the tournament’s first-ever all-NCAA finals matchup.
The best-of-three championship series opens on Tuesday at the same venue.
San Beda leaned on a torrid shooting display from beyond the arc, knocking down 16 of its 33 three-point attempts to end UP’s reign and return to the preseason finals for the first time since 2019.
Former Fighting Maroon RC Calimag spearheaded the charge, erupting for 27 points behind six triples. He ignited the Red Lions’ blistering 12-0 opening run that immediately put the defending champions on the back foot.
Aldous Torculas provided all-around production with 14 points, three rebounds, and two assists, while Dom Sarigumba contributed 17 points, seven assists, and two rebounds.
Penny Estacio added 11 points and six assists, then Zed Etulle anchored the interior with a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.
The victory carried added significance for San Beda, which dedicated the win to the late JV Gallego, who passed away on Saturday.
“Gallego embodied sacrifice, and he’s such a great inspiration for the team in terms of staying ready,” assistant coach Andre Santos said. “The guys played inspired basketball, they played for something greater than themselves and the team, and they played for JV.”
Former Red Lion James Payosing paced UP with 10 points and seven rebounds in the loss.
In the other semifinal, JRU relied on its defense to neutralize a surging Letran squad and secure its first finals appearance in the preseason tournament since 2006, when it finished runner-up during the competition’s Homegrown Cup era.
Chris Hubilla powered the Heavy Bombers with 22 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, while Lawrence Mangubat delivered 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Allan Laurenaria chipped in a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Letran nearly completed a dramatic comeback after erasing most of a 23-point deficit. Behind Titing Manalili, the Knights trimmed the gap to 79-73 with 44 seconds remaining, but JRU held its composure in the closing moments to seal the victory.
“Sinasabi ko naman sa kanila na trabahuin nila nang tama and ito ngayon yung naging resulta,” said Heavy Bombers head coach Nani Epondulan.
Manalili finished with a game-high 28 points, along with nine assists and six rebounds for Letran.
The Scores:
First Game:
Jose Rizal 82 – Hubilla 22, Mangubat 19, Laurenaria 11, Salvador 11, Garupil 6, Eligado 6, Lozano 3, Panapanaan 2, Herrera 2, Garcia 0, Masiglat 0, Duque 0, Palis 0.
Letran 73 – Manalili 28, Estrada 12, Diamante 12, Buensalida 7, Santos 7, Cargo 4, Gammad 2, Siena 1, Sison-Walker 0, Hugo 0, Montecillo 0, Villanueva 0.
Quarterscores: 23-16, 47-36, 66-50, 82-73.
Second Game:
San Beda 93 – Calimag 27, Sarigumba 17, Torculas 14, Estacio 11, Etulle 10, Bonzalida 8, Hawkins 2, Puno 2, Songcuya 2, Jamora 0, Jalbuena 0, Ugaddan 0.
UP 72 – Pre 10, Alter 10, Payosing 10, Poyos 9, Stevens 8, Palanca 8, Yniguez 8, Dimaculangan 4, Ogana 3, Bayla 2, Remogat 0, Andres 0.
Quarterscores: 24-15, 37-35, 68-48, 93-72.
