San Beda, JRU stun favorites to forge historic all-NCAA Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup finals

NCAA San Beda University and Jose Rizal University will clash for the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup championship after pulling off impressive semifinal upsets on Sunday at the Filoil Centre.

The Red Lions ended the University of the Philippines’ three-year reign with a dominant 93-72 victory, while the Heavy Bombers outlasted Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 82-73, to set up the tournament’s first-ever all-NCAA finals matchup.

The best-of-three championship series begins Tuesday at the same venue.

San Beda rode a scorching performance from beyond the arc, sinking 16 of 33 attempts from three-point range to eliminate the defending champions and return to the preseason finals for the first time since 2019.

Former UP standout RC Calimag led the offensive explosion, scoring 27 points highlighted by six triples. He sparked San Beda’s fast start by fueling a 12-0 opening run that immediately placed the Fighting Maroons under pressure.

Aldous Torculas delivered an all-around effort with 14 points, three rebounds, and two assists, while Dom Sarigumba added 17 points, seven assists, and two rebounds.

Penny Estacio contributed 11 points and six assists, while Zed Etulle controlled the paint with a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The win held special meaning for the Red Lions, who dedicated their victory to late teammate JV Gallego, who passed away on Saturday.

"[Gallego] embodied sacrifice and he's such a great inspiration for the team in terms of staying ready," assistant coach Andre Santos said. "The guys played inspired basketball, they played for something greater than themselves and the team, and they played for JV."

Former San Beda player James Payosing led UP with 10 points and seven rebounds in the losing effort.

Meanwhile, JRU relied on its defensive toughness to hold off Letran’s comeback bid and secure its first preseason tournament finals appearance since 2006, when the event was still known as the Homegrown Cup.

Chris Hubilla powered the Heavy Bombers with 22 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, while Lawrence Mangubat added 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Allan Laurenaria also provided a strong inside presence with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Letran threatened to complete a comeback after falling behind by as many as 23 points. Led by Titing Manalili, the Knights cut the deficit to 79-73 with 44 seconds remaining, but JRU stayed composed and made the necessary plays down the stretch.

"Sinasabi ko naman sa kanila na trabahuin nila ng tama and ito ngayon yung naging resulta," said Heavy Bombers head coach Nani Epondulan.

Manalili turned in a standout performance for Letran, finishing with a game-high 28 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.