A protective cup includes a cage member and a peripheral lip. The cage member includes upper, lower, and side portions. The upper portion may include a plurality of slots. At least one slot may be oriented so that a direction defined by a largest dimension of the at least one slot extends toward one or more of the lower portion and the side portions. The cup may also include linking portions. The lip is operatively connected to the upper and lower portions. The lip may be operatively connected to the side portions or it may be distanced from the cage member at openings between the lip and side portions. If the lip is distanced from the cage member, the linking portions operatively connect the lip to the side portions to fill the openings or one or more parts of the openings. A method of manufacturing the cup is also disclosed.