University of the Philippines routed Ateneo, 95-70, in the 2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Coming off back-to-back losses, the Maroons brought the fight to their modern-day rivals from tip-off with Malick Diouf scoring all but two points in their 8-0 start.

UP's Lebron Lopez and Ateneo's Joseph Obasa

A breakaway dunk from LeBron Lopez then widened their margin to 31-11 early in the second quarter.

"Ang nakita kong maganda, coming from two losses, bouncing back from it. I was satisfied sa naging consistency namin today," said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde, whose team improved to 4-2.

From there, UP remained in complete control of the fierce foes' first meeting since the UAAP Season 85 men's basketball finals, as the Blue Eagles could only come as close as 13 with 6:29 remaining only to be repulsed by Harold Alarcon's seven straight points.

In the end, Diouf posted 16 points and eight rebounds, while Alarcon chipped in 16 points and three rebounds. The Fighting Maroons counted five players in double-digits, with CJ Cansino contributing 14 points as well.

Joseph Obasa was the lone player who breached double-digits for debuting Ateneo with 13 points to go along with 11 rebounds, as Mason Amos tallied nine points and seven rebounds.

Meanwhile, De La Salle blasted Faith Colleges of Batangas, 105-60.

The Green Archers just had more weapons to wield against the luckless Bravehearts with their reserves totaling 65 points.

Kevin Quiambao topscored with 17 points to go along with nine rebounds, while Ben Phillips chipped in 12 points on top of four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

"We actually played lousy basketball today. It's very disappointing to see our players play that way. We expected more. It's not who we are. We should be better," said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson, even after they led by as much as 48.

Jude Torrato top-scored for the Bravehearts (0-5) with 15 points, four assists, and three steals.

In the other match, National University bounced back from a defeat to La Salle by trouncing University of the East, 91-69.

John Galinato led three Bulldogs with 15 points, as they clamped down on defense and forced 27 turnovers that were turned into 41 points.

They also dominated down low, with 40-30 and 23-9 advantages in rebounds and second-chance points, respectively, to hike their Group II record to 2-1.

"Good thing nag-step up sa defense. Nung game kasi against La Salle, naging individivuals yung laro namin e. Kaya inayos muna namin yung sarili namin," said NU head coach Jeff Napa, referencing their 86-107 loss last Monday.

The Red Warriors fell to 2-4 despite a 31-point outburst from Noy Remogat.

Meanwhile, Lyceum of the Philippines University kept Arellano University winless with an 82-68 decision.