11-07-2025
UST, La Salle boot out EAC, Arellano to complete FilOil Preseason semis cast
University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University pulled away late to stun Emilio Aguinaldo and Arellano University, respectively, in the 18th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup quarterfinals on Friday.
The second-seeded Growling Tigers pulled off an 82-73 win against the Generals to make the FilOil Final Four for the first time since 2013 while the Green Archers dominated the Chiefs with a 95-77 victory as they completed an all-UAAP semifinals cast.
UST will take on National University in their bid to win a breakthrough FilOil title while DLSU will have an early playoff rematch with its tormentor in last year's UAAP finals, University of the Philippines.
Gelo Crisostomo shone for UST with a huge double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds while Kyle Paranada and Koji Buenaflor each chipped in 12 markers.
For DLSU, Mason Amos had a near-perfect 5-of-6 shooting from the field to finish with 15 points while JC Macalalag and Kean Baclaan each chipped in 12 markers as they halted the Chiefs' five-game winning streak.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
