UP's Francis Nnoruka and UST's Nic Cabanero. Photo handout.MANILA — Tasting early defeat in the 18th Filoil Preseason Cup probably wasn't in the plans of both University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas.

The Fighting Maroons, aspiring to claim the ECJ Perpetual Trophy with a third straight triumph in the premier preseason tournament, got sent back to earth with a bitter 106-99 loss to rival La Salle last May 31.

Meanwhile, the Growling Tigers, hopeful to establish themselves as a legitimate title contender, got humbled by Far Eastern University via a 72-63 whipping last week.

Licking their wounds from those defeats, both UP and UST try to get back to their winning form on Monday against each other at PlayTime Filoil Centre in San Juan.

Carrying identical 2-1 win-loss records, the two lock horns at 4:00 p.m. with the Fighting Maroons expecting another solid showing from new faces Noy Remogat and Francis Nnoruka while the Growling Tigers welcome Nic Cabañero back.

The UAAP Group faceoff will serve as the main event of the triple-header as the tilt returns after a week-long break.

Undefeated teams Letran (2-0) and Emilio Aguinaldo College (2-0) cross paths at 2:00 p.m. in a bid to stay atop of the NCAA Group.

The Generals are coming off an 82-74 conquest over Lyceum last May 31, and will try to ambush the Knights which last saw action on May 26, also an 89-69 rout of the Pirates.

In the curtain raiser, winless teams San Sebastian (0-2) and LPU (0-3) will part ways at 12:00 p.m.