//Highlights
FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup: What You Need To Know

FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup: Schedules, Where To Watch, and Best Storylines 

May 07, 2024
Article By RJ Ballecer
The 17th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup is near, and we’re giving you the rundown before another round of preseason hoops kicks off. 

From this point on, the collegiate basketball preseason will only continue to heat up.

Early on, we’ve already seen major pickups, shock recruitments (depending on which team you support), and teams entering preseason tournaments to develop chemistry among the players they will parade in the regular season.

And as May rolls on, we’ll now be treated to the 17th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, arguably the biggest preseason tournament in local collegiate hoops. For the fans, this is the best way to preview the collegiate teams they root for ahead of September.

Ahead of the games, we’ve created an easy guide of what to know and/or expect.

Who should I expect at the games?

All eight UAAP and 10 NCAA schools will be competing in the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup. If ever you need a rundown, we’ve got that covered. 

UAAP 

  • La Salle Green Archers
  • UP Fighting Maroons
  • NU Bulldogs
  • Ateneo Blue Eagles 
  • Adamson Soaring Falcons 
  • UE Red Warriors
  • FEU Tamaraws
  • UST Growling Tigers

NCAA

  • San Beda Red Lions
  • Mapua Cardinals 
  • Benilde Blazers
  • LPU Pirates
  • Perpetual Altas
  • JRU Heavy Bombers
  • EAC Generals
  • San Sebastian Stags
  • Letran Knights
  • Arellano Chiefs

Based on past iterations, teams will likely parade their respective UAAP Season 87 and NCAA Season 100 lineups at the tournament. Unlike the also-ongoing PinoyLiga Collegiate Cup, teams won’t be able to test their redshirt recruits, and will instead focus on the immediate season before them.

What about the schedule and tournament format?

The league will open on Saturday, May 11, with a five-game schedule headlined by a UAAP Finals rematch between UP and La Salle. A single round-robin format will be used for eliminations, with squads being grouped according to their respective leagues.

Only the top four teams from each league will advance to the playoff rounds, wherein we can expect possible UAAP-NCAA crossover matchups.

Here’s the full schedule:

(Courtesy of the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup team)
Where will it be played, and how can I watch?

All FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup games will be played at the FilOil EcoOil Center (or the FilOil Flying V Center/Arena to older fans) in Santolan, San Juan from the eliminations up to the playoff rounds.

Ticket prices are as follows: P420 for ringside seats, P320 for lower box, and P120 for upper box seats. Fans may purchase through Ticketnet and/or coordinate through their number (02) 8911-5555 , or at the FilOil EcoOil Center’s ticket booth. 

The league will also set up livestreams in the following accounts: Smart Sports on Facebook, Smart LiveStream for the network’s users, and the FilOil EcoOil Sports YouTube and Facebook accounts. 

In short, this preseason tourney will be accessible whether you’re on the go, or you have the opportunity to catch the games live in San Juan.  

Storylines to anticipate

As mentioned, the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup acts as an early preview for both UAAP and NCAA teams. There’s defending UAAP champs La Salle who lost key seniors, and bridesmaid finishers UP with new faces including top Fil-Am recruit Jacob Bayla IF he’ll be available. Tab Baldwin’s Ateneo will likely be fielding their young core as well, which includes top local high schooler Jared Bahay.

We’ll also see how UST has improved under Pido Jarencio, alongside Sean Chambers’ FEU Tamaraws squad, and even an NU Bulldogs program that secured the services of Adamson Baby Falcons Tebol Garcia and Vince Reyes. Meanwhile, teams like UE and Adamson will show their fans who will step up after losing key stars to either the pros or a transfer.

Let’s not forget about NCAA champs San Beda Red Lions, who are now reinforced by former UAAP recruits like Bryan Sajonia and Penny Estacio. Former NCAA kings Letran will also be entering with a new interim coach in their juniors mentor Allen Ricardo, and possibly Juniors’ Finals MVP Jonathan “Titing” Manalili.

There’s a lot more, too, that can happen within the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup – from player revelations, or even potential dark horses once the UAAP and NCAA basketball tournaments commence.

Until then, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Banner Image courtesy of the UAAP Season 86 Media Team.

Next Chapter: Fil-Am Stud Jacob Bayla Joins The UP Fighting Maroons

Jude Roque Believes In ‘Deep’ San Beda Team Heading Into Title Defense

A Way-Too-Early Look at UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball