The UST Growling Tigers kicked off their 2026 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup campaign with a hard-fought 83–75 victory over the FEU Tamaraws on Saturday, June 6, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. The win marked an early statement of intent for the Tigers, who used a dominant second-half surge to overcome a spirited FEU side.

Match Overview

Both teams entered the contest looking to set the tone for the preseason tournament, a crucial proving ground for UAAP contenders. The first half was tightly contested, with FEU matching UST basket for basket. The Tamaraws’ quick perimeter attack gave the Tigers’ defense trouble early, and the score remained within a single possession for much of the opening 20 minutes. UST managed to take a narrow 40–38 lead into the break.

The turning point came early in the third quarter. UST’s defensive intensity ratcheted up, forcing several FEU turnovers that led to easy transition buckets. The Growling Tigers outscored the Tamaraws 26–16 in the period, building a 12-point cushion heading into the fourth. FEU attempted a late rally, trimming the deficit to six with under two minutes left, but UST’s composed free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the result.

Key Moments

• Third-quarter explosion: UST opened the second half on a 10–2 run, never looking back.
• Clutch free throws: The Tigers converted 12 of 14 free throws in the final quarter, maintaining their lead.
• Defensive stand: UST held FEU to just 37 points after halftime, stifling the Tamaraws’ preferred uptempo style.

Standout Players

For UST, guard Kenji Duremdes was instrumental, finishing with a game-high 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including three three-pointers. He also added 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Center Mark Esperanza dominated the paint with a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double, while veteran guard Paul Manalang contributed 11 points and 6 assists, orchestrating the offense effectively.

On the FEU side, rookie forward Luis Emilio impressed with 18 points and 7 rebounds, showing promise for the Tamaraws. Point guard Joaquin Navarro added 15 points and 4 assists but was hounded by UST’s defense in the second half.

Season and Tournament Impact

While the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup does not carry official UAAP standings weight, it serves as a critical barometer for teams ahead of the collegiate season. For UST, the victory provides early momentum and validates their offseason preparations. Head coach Ricky Sáenz praised his team’s resilience: “We knew FEU would come out strong, but our defensive adjustments in the second half were key. This is a good building block.”

FEU, meanwhile, will look to regroup quickly. Their next fixture comes against the NU Bulldogs, and head coach Mike Reyes will stress the need for better second-half execution. The Tamaraws’ strong first-half showing suggests they can compete, but closing out games remains a work in progress.

Looking Ahead

UST will face the UP Fighting Maroons in their next Filoil outing, a matchup that will test their newfound defensive identity. FEU will aim to bounce back against NU, knowing that every preseason win builds confidence for the UAAP wars ahead.