Serbia-bound University of the Philippines exacted sweet revenge over UAAP tormentor De La Salle six months later with a hard-earned 69-66 win in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup Final on Wednesday night, June 12, in San Juan City.

The Fighting Maroons impressively fought back from a first half 20-point deficit to turn back the Green Archers and lift the preseason trophy for the second straight time.

In December last year, the State U suffered a heartbreaking championship defeat at the hands of the Taft-based squad in their historic best-of-three Finals series.

Interestingly, both sides actually faced each other in last year’s Filoil EcoOil 16th ECJ Preseason Cup that saw UP come out on top.

They also opened this year’s tournament where the Fighting Maroons accomplished a similar victory before eventually ruling the rest of the competition.

The title-retention meant something else to the Fighting Maroons, though not entirely a goal, it brought back a sense of confidence in bravely going up against their tormentor.

Gerry Abadiano was reliable all tournament long, and the finals was no different ground for him as he delivered 12 points in the team’s balanced effort to take home a Finals MVP trophy in another hand.

Graduating JD Cagulangan, meanwhile, scattered a team-high 13 markers that went with five rebounds and four assists.

The whole squad is heading straight to its flight to Europe the same night it won the championship as part of its offseason preparations until the end of the month before going back to South Korea for yet another training camp.

La Salle pacer and eventual Smart Sports Season MVP awardee Kevin Quiambao posted a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double effort in the sorry loss.

Apart from the Gilas big man, CJ Austria had a similar showing with 14 markers while import Henry Agunanne added seven points along with a huge defensive effort of 10 rebounds.

In the earlier battle for third match, Far Eastern University prevailed over NCAA challenger Letran, 80-78, to secure the bronze medal.

Under the guidance of new head coach Sean Chambers, the Tamaraws had the last laugh over the gritty Knights in their square off.

Though humbled towards the end of the clash following Letran’s last-gasp efforts, FEU’s youth carried them through the grueling match to show something for itself three months before the UAAP officially kicks off.

FEU seniors Jorick Bautista and Royce Alforque carried out the offensive scheme with a pair of high numbers of 21 and 19 points, respectively, with the former nailing a last-minute triple to assure the Tamaraws their victory.

Incoming UAAP rookie Veejay Pre, registered the goods for the FEU side with a double-double outing of 13 points that went with 10 rebounds, apart from five assists.

Vince Cuajao paced the Knights with a game-high all-around showing of 27 points, five rebounds and three assists.

If anything, a semifinal finish for both FEU and Letran in the preseason could exactly be the spark they need heading into their respective campaigns in the UAAP and NCAA.

Both sides had a lowly finish in their respective leagues last season, with Letran ending a four-peat title bid in the worst way possible.

The Scores:

FIRST GAME

FEU 80 — Bautista 21, Alforque 19, Pre 13, Konateh 11, Bagunu 6, Daa 5, Ona 3, Godinez 2, Buenaventura 0, Taboctaboc 0, Gordon 0, Felipe 0, Montemayor 0, Beato 0

LETRAN 78 — Cuajao 27, Manalili 15, Dimaano 10, Go 8, Galoy 5, Baliling 5, Montecillo 3, Pradela 3, Ariar 2, Jumao-As 0, Nunag 0, Garupil 0, Tangkay 0, Alarcon 0, Brillantes 0

QUARTERS: 24-17, 49-38, 62-67, 80-78 

SECOND GAME

UP 69 — Cagulangan 13, Abadiano 12, Alarcon 9, Ududo 9, Lopez 8, Torres 7, Torculas 7, Felicilda 2, Alter 2, Stevens 0, Walker 0, Bayla 0, Briones 0, Belmonte 0, Tan 0

LA SALLE 66 — Quiambao 14, Austria 14, Ramiro 7, Agunanne 7, Gollena 7, Dungo 6, Policarpio 4, Macalalag 3, Marasigan 2, Cortez 2, Zamora 0, Buenaventura 0, Gaspay 0, Abadam 0, Rubico 0, Alian 0

QUARTERS: 17-14, 23-43, 48-53, 69-66