PFC Pelicans Edge General EAC in Thrilling Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup Clash

June 24, 2026 – In a high-stakes encounter at the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, the PFC Pelicans snatched a nail-biting 85-83 victory over a resilient General EAC squad. The match, which tipped off at 3:00 PM, showcased the intensity and raw talent that define Philippine collegiate basketball preparation tournaments, with both teams leaving everything on the court.

Game Overview

The Pelicans and the EAC Generals engaged in a back-and-forth battle from the opening tip. General EAC entered the contest with a reputation for disciplined defense and transition scoring, but PFC countered with a potent perimeter attack. The game remained tight through all four quarters, with neither side able to build a double-digit lead. The final minutes turned into a classic showdown of composure versus aggression, ultimately decided by a crucial defensive stop by the Pelicans on the Generals’ last possession.

Key Moments

• First Half Surge: General EAC came out firing, building a 44-40 lead at the break behind strong interior play from their forwards.
• Pelicans’ Third-Quarter Response: PFC Pelicans adjusted their defensive scheme, forcing three turnovers in the first four minutes of the third quarter and converting them into fast-break points to take a 64-61 edge.
• Clutch Shooting Down the Stretch: With under two minutes remaining and the score tied at 81, Pelicans guard Mark Cruz drained a mid-range jumper to put his team ahead. After an EAC free throw cut it to 83-82, Cruz again found a teammate for a layup that extended the lead to three.
• Final Stand: General EAC had a chance to tie with 5 seconds left, but a contested three-point attempt rimmed out, sealing the 85-83 victory for the Pelicans.

Standout Players

PFC Pelicans: Guard Mark Cruz led all scorers with 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting, adding 5 assists and 4 steals. His leadership in the clutch was instrumental. Center James Tan contributed a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the paint on both ends.

General EAC: Forward Juan Dela Cruz paced the Generals with 22 points and 8 rebounds. Guard Renz Santos chipped in 18 points, but the team’s late turnovers proved costly.

Impact on the Preseason Cup Standings

The win improves PFC Pelicans’ record to 3-1 in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, keeping them in the upper half of the standings. General EAC falls to 2-2, still very much in contention but now needing to regroup quickly. The preseason tournament serves as a vital tune-up for the upcoming NCAA and UAAP seasons, and performances like these highlight the depth of talent outside the top tier programs.

What’s Next

Both teams will have short rest before their next matches. General EAC will look to bounce back against a tough San Sebastian squad, while the Pelicans aim to build momentum against league leaders Arellano. The Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup continues to provide thrilling basketball as teams fine-tune their rotations for the regular season.