The Mapua Cardinals opened their Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup campaign with a hard-fought 94-89 victory over the Arellano University Chiefs on June 17, 2026, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. In a game that showcased both offensive firepower and defensive grit, the Cardinals managed to hold off a late rally from the Chiefs to secure the win.

Match Overview

Both teams came into the contest looking to establish an early rhythm in the preseason tournament. The Cardinals used a balanced scoring attack and a strong second-quarter surge to build a double-digit lead. However, Arellano refused to back down, chipping away at the deficit in the second half and pulling within a single possession in the final minutes. Mapua’s composure down the stretch proved decisive as they converted key free throws to seal the win.

Key Moments

• First half dominance: Mapua outscored Arellano 28-18 in the second quarter, taking a 51-38 lead into halftime. The Cardinals’ transition offense and three-point shooting were particularly effective during this stretch.
• Arellano’s third-quarter response: The Chiefs came out firing after the break, cutting the lead to 68-63 by the end of the third quarter. Their zone defense forced several Mapua turnovers and created easy baskets.
• Clutch free throws: With less than two minutes remaining and Mapua leading 88-85, the Cardinals made six of their last eight free-throw attempts to ice the game. Arellano missed two crucial three-pointers in the final 30 seconds that could have tied the contest.

Standout Players

For Mapua, Clint Escamis led all scorers with 24 points, including three triples, and added 7 rebounds. Veteran forward Paolo Hernandez contributed a double-double of 16 points and 11 boards, providing a steady presence in the paint. Guard Jeco Bautista dished out 8 assists while scoring 12 points.

On the Arellano side, James Santos poured in 22 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in a losing effort. Rookie guard Lorenzo Cruz impressed with 18 points off the bench, hitting four three-pointers. Mark Oliva added 14 points and 5 assists but struggled with foul trouble in the final period.

Table and Season Impact

While the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup serves as a tune-up for the upcoming NCAA season, this win gives Mapua early momentum. The Cardinals showed they can execute under pressure and have multiple scoring options. Arellano, despite the loss, demonstrated resilience and will look to build on their second-half performance. The result places Mapua at 1-0 in Group A, while Arellano drops to 0-1.

Next up: Mapua takes on the San Beda Red Lions on June 20, while Arellano faces the Perpetual Altas on the same day.