Games Today2 p.m. — Perpetual vs. UP4 p.m. — La Salle vs. National U
AND THEN there were four.
Unbeaten De La Salle University takes on National University as University of the Philippines (UP) collides with the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the knockout semifinals of the 2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup today at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Action kicks off at 2 p.m. (June 19) with the Fighting Maroons and the Altas getting the first crack followed by the collision of the Green Archers and the Bulldogs in the main event at 4 p.m.
Winners advance to the one-game championship on Wednesday for a chance to rule the 20-team tournament serving as early preparations for participating collegiate teams’ mother leagues like the UAAP and the NCAA.
La Salle and UP took care of their respective quarterfinal assignments with ease against San Juan de Letran University, 101-79, and Lyceum of the Philippines University, 86-66, respectively.
National University, meanwhile, needed overtime to fend off College of St. Benilde with an 88-72 win, as Perpetual bested Far Eastern University by a whisker, 74-73.
It’s the first-ever Filoil semis appearance for Perpetual but will be in tall order right away against the powerhouse UP squad. — John Bryan Ulanday