UP, La Salle forge another finals duel in Filoil preseason tilt

University of the Philippines and De La Salle University have arranged yet another championship meeting after the two powerhouse squads cruised to the finals of the 2024 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Sunday. 

The Fighting Maroons halted the dream run of Far Eastern University in their semifinals clash, 89-77, to set up a finals faceoff against the Green Archers, who ousted the lone NCAA team in the Final Four, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, with a tight 91-87 victory. 

Francis Lopez shone with an all-around outing after the sophomore ace scattered 22 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and one block while JD Cagulangan chipped in 13 markers, five boards, nine assists, and four swats as the defending champions move a win away from back-to-back FilOil titles. 

Meanwhile, La Salle escaped a late surge from the gutsy Knights to eke out a hard-fought win, leaning on Jonnel Policarpio and Henry Agunanne who both finished with 19 points. 

This will be another finals collision between UP and La Salle, which slugged it out in the previous Filoil edition where the Katipunan crew emerged on top to bag its first-ever crown in the prestigious tournament. 

They then met again in the finals round of UAAP, this time the Green Archers came out with a sweet revenge to reign supreme in Season 86 and capture their first title since 2016. 

UP and La Salle will square off this Wednesday in a knockout affair while FEU and Letran will look to salvage a podium finish when they meet for the battle for third place. 

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News