The UP Fighting Maroons weathered a late surge from the NU Bulldogs to secure a 76-67 victory in the Philippines Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup on May 19, 2026. Playing in front of a lively crowd at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, the Maroons leaned on a strong first-half performance and clutch execution down the stretch to improve their preseason record.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, UP controlled the tempo with disciplined ball movement and aggressive defense. The Maroons built a double-digit lead by halftime, capitalizing on NU’s cold shooting from beyond the arc. However, the Bulldogs refused to go quietly, trimming the deficit to just four points late in the fourth quarter before UP locked in defensively to close out the contest.

Key Moments

• First-half dominance: UP outscored NU 42-30 in the first two quarters, shooting 48% from the field while holding the Bulldogs to 33%.
• NU’s third-quarter push: The Bulldogs opened the second half with an 11-2 run, cutting the lead to single digits and forcing a UP timeout.
• Clutch free throws: With 2:30 remaining, UP converted 8 of 10 free throws to maintain separation and ice the game.
• Defensive stand: In the final minute, UP forced two turnovers and blocked a three-point attempt to secure the 76-67 final.

Tactical Story

UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde employed a switching defense that disrupted NU’s half-court sets. The Maroons crashed the offensive glass effectively, securing 14 second-chance points. NU, meanwhile, relied on their guards to create off the dribble but struggled with spacing when UP packed the paint. The Bulldogs’ bench contributed 22 points, but their starting unit lacked rhythm against UP’s length.

Standout Players

• UP Fighting Maroons – Malick Diouf: The versatile big man posted 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks, anchoring both ends of the floor.
• NU Bulldogs – Kean Baclaan: The guard led all scorers with 22 points, including three three-pointers, but didn’t get enough support from his teammates.
• UP – Gerry Abadiano: His steady ball-handling and 6 assists kept the UP offense flowing, especially in critical moments.

Season Impact

For the UP Fighting Maroons, this win builds momentum ahead of the UAAP season. The preseason tournament allows the team to test rotations and integrate new recruits. NU, meanwhile, will look to sharpen their execution in close games after falling short despite a gritty comeback. Both teams are expected to be contenders in their respective conferences later this year.