Rey Remogat and the UP Fighting Maroons start their build up for UAAP Season 88 with a three-peat quest in the 8th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
Not even the departure of key players could dent University of the Philippines' status as the UAAP team-to-beat.
Yes, the likes of Francis Lopez, JD Cagulangan, and Quentin Millora-Brown may be gone, but coach Goldwin Monteverde still has able bodies at his disposal for the Fighting Maroons.
To wit, Rey Remogat is now cleared to play for Diliman and will have his hands full, as UP begins its three-peat quest -- and a shot at the ECJ Perpetual Trophy -- on Monday in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.
Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, and Terrence Fortea will still be there providing stability, as the Fighting Maroons try to take the first step in replicating their run to the championship of the premier preseason league at 2:00 p.m.
But standing in UP's way is National University which is hungry to bounce back after a 75-71 loss to University of Santo Tomas last Thursday.
Expect a big fightback from the Bulldogs with Steve Nash Enriquez, Jolo Manansala, and Jake Figueroa, as they try to avoid falling to a 0-2 hole in this tilt which has PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas as major sponsors, and Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger as minor sponsors.
College of St. Benilde, meanwhile, seeks early leadership in the NCAA Group, as it shoots for a 3-0 start against debuting Perpetual at 4:00 p.m.
Allen Liwag and Shawn Umali have proven to be a killer frontcourt duo and that will be in full display once again versus the retooled Altas, which will now have Patrick Sleat on their side.
Letran (1-0) and Lyceum of the Philippines University (0-1) raise the curtains at 10:00 a.m., followed by the duel between Jose Rizal University and San Sebastian College-Recoletos at 12 p.m., with both teams unveiling new head coaches in Nani Epondulan and Rob Labagala, respectively.