UP edges La Salle to cop Filoil Preseason title

University of the Philippines copped the 2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup as it defeated fellow UAAP team De La Salle University, 87-76, on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Heroes were aplenty for the Diliman-based squad with Mark Belmonte taking the scoring cudgels with 18 points, 12 of which he dropped in the first half where the Fighting Maroons started to pull away.

Lebron Lopez dropped 16 markers while CJ Cansino, JD Cagulangan, and Malick Diouf poured in 10 points each as UP copped its first-ever FilOil preseason title.

La Salle, the undefeated team heading into the finals, was led by the backcourt duo of Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy. Nelle churned out 19 points, five assists, and four rebounds while Nonoy chimed in with 13 markers.

Meanwhile, last year's champion National University settled for a third place finish after defeating University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 85-77, behind Patrick Yu, who dropped 16 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals off the bench.

Foreign student-athlete Omar John registered a double-double outing with 12 markers and 13 boards laced with three assists and two blocks while Jolo Manansala listed 14 points.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News