The UP Fighting Maroons delivered a commanding defensive performance to defeat the ADU Falcons 69–53 in a Group Stage fixture of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup on June 24, 2026, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. The Maroons improved their preseason record with a well-rounded display, overwhelming the Falcons with second-half intensity and efficient scoring.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams struggled to find rhythm in a grind-it-out first quarter. UP edged ahead 16–12 after the opening period, relying on their size advantage inside. The Falcons responded in the second quarter, tightening their defense and forcing turnovers, cutting the gap to 32–29 at halftime. However, the Maroons came out of the break with renewed energy, outscoring ADU 22–12 in the third quarter to take a commanding 54–41 lead. They never looked back, cruising to a 16-point victory.

Key Moments

• Third-quarter surge: UP exploded for a 12–0 run midway through the third period, turning a five-point lead into a 17-point cushion. The Falcons could not recover from the burst.
• Free-throw shooting difference: The Maroons made 16 of 22 attempts at the stripe, while ADU managed only 8 of 15, a decisive edge in a low-scoring affair.
• Rebounding dominance: UP controlled the boards 44–32, including 13 offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points.

Standout Players

Guard CJ Cansino led all scorers with 18 points, adding 7 rebounds and 3 assists for the Maroons. Forward Malick Diouf contributed a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds, anchoring the paint on both ends. For the Falcons, point guard Jerom Lastimosa fought hard for 15 points, but lacked enough support from his teammates, as no other ADU player reached double figures.

Season Context and Implications

The Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup serves as a critical preparation tournament for the upcoming UAAP season. This result gives UP a valuable confidence boost, especially after a mixed start to their preseason campaign. The Maroons now hold a 2–1 record in Group B, while the Falcons slip to 1–2. Both teams will look to refine their rotations and build chemistry ahead of the regular season.

UP’s defensive intensity and balanced scoring proved too much for a young ADU squad still searching for consistency. With the tournament progressing, the Maroons have established themselves as one of the teams to watch in the preseason competition.