UNIVERSITY of the Philippines formally begins its preparations for its title defense in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and it all starts at the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
“We understand how important these preseason preparations are for us as we try to build our team together before the UAAP season begins,” UP coach Goldwin Monteverde said.Warren Bonifacio, Paolo Hernandez and Brian Lacap are counted on to carry the mantle for the Cardinals as they face the Fighting Maroons at the 1 p.m. curtain raiser immediately after the opening ceremonies at 12:30 p.m.
Group B consists of defending National Collegiate Athletic Association champion Letran, De La Salle, San Beda, Far Eastern University , San Sebastian, University of Santo Tomas, Lyceum of the Philippines University and Jose Rizal University. De La Salle, led by Evan Nelle and Michael Phillips, renew its rivalry against old UAAP foe FEU, bannered by L-Jay Gonzales, at 3 p.m.; while the Jerom Lastimosa-led Adamson University duke it out against Will Gozum and St. Benilde at 5 p.m.