UP targets ECJ Perpetual Trophy

UP targets ECJ Perpetual Trophy | Daily Tribune

Defending the throne is the biggest goal for University of the Philippines (UP) as it spearheads the 17 teams participating in the 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup tipping off this 18 May.

The Fighting Maroons, also the reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s basketball champions, are hungry to keep the crown after winning the last two editions of the premier preseason tilt.

And if they do win this unprecedented third straight, the Diliman side can claim the Amb. Eduardo “Danding” M. Cojuangco Jr. (ECJ) Perpetual Trophy for good in this tourney presented by ABC Tile Adhesives.

But accomplishing that isn’t that easy for UP, all the more with coach Goldwin Monteverde losing key cogs from last year’s title drive.

Rey Remogat joins forces with Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, and Terrence Fortea as they try to keep the maroon ship afloat following the departures of Francis Lopez, JD Cagulangan and Quentin Millora-Brown.

Rival La Salle is just as hungry, with coach Topex Robinson trotting out a rejigged crew bannered by transferees Jacob Cortez, Kean Baclaan, Mason Amos and Luis Pablo for this redemption tour.

University of Santo Tomas, led by Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao, as well as Adamson, Far Eastern University, University of the East and National University complete the UAAP Group as teams play a single round robin format with only the top four teams advancing.

Not to be outdone is the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 men’s basketball champion Mapua which will still be leaning on the leadership of Clint Escamis.

Giving the Cardinals a run for their money in the NCAA Group are nemesis Benilde, alongside San Beda and Lyceum of the Philippines University. Rounding out the field are Emilio Aguinaldo College, Letran, Arellano, Perpetual, San Sebastian and Jose Rizal University.

The top four teams from each group progress in crossover quarterfinals, with the victors advancing to the knockout semifinals, and finally, a best-of-three championship series.

Chairman Virgil Villavicencio, commissioners Joe Lipa and Bert dela Rosa, tournament director Bennett Palad, and marketing and finance head Diana Layug will once again lead the summer cage tilt at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup also has Playtime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas as major sponsors, and Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari and Brothers Burger as minor sponsors.