UP Fighting Maroons says goodbye to Pinoyliga as Korea trip nears

The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons formally bid its goodbye to Pinoyliga Cup Collegiate Division committee as they need to be in a bubble set up a few days before their Korea trip where they will face the Korean Basketball League teams in tune-up games.

Currently undefeated in four Pinoyliga Cup games, the Fighting Maroons will leave the 7-team tourney as the top team. They won over Enderun (72 – 50), MAPUA (86 – 62), NU (81 – 64), and Perpetual (89 – 81).

“We regret to inform you that the UP men’s basketball team will no longer be able to finish our remaining games in the Pinoyliga Cup. We have some prior commitments and our team will also be entering a mini bubble before our planned departure for Korea next week”, their official statement said.

The Fighting Maroons are about to shift their preparation for their title-repeat bid as they are bound to Korea to play Suwon KT Sonicboom, Seoul Samsung Thunders, Changwon LG Sakers, Jeonju KCC Egis, and Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in tune-up games from August 28 to September 10.

The reigning UAAP champions said that they are happy to join the league and looking forward to being one of the teams in its next season.

“We thank you so much for the experience that our players have gained in the last month competing in this league. We hope to still be part of the Pinoy Liga Cup in the future and we wish the league all the best with the remaining games of this conference.”

Meanwhile, Pinoyliga Cup Collegiate Division Commissioner Wilson Ang said that the College of St. Benilde will be the replacement team for the last two games of UP in the elimination round of the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup.

However, the game results of UP will be retained while the upcoming collegiate teams who will face CSB will automatically get the win.

CSB is set to face the UE Red Warriors on August 20 and the San Beda Red Lions on August 24.