THE 86th Season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is set to begin on Saturday, September 30, opening with the Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The University of the East will serve as this year’s host, advocating the season’s theme “Fueling the Future.”
With a flurry of new faces and the rise of fresh talents in this season’s competition, the theme seeks to highlight the future of Philippine sports.
The first game of the season will showcase the return of Coach Pido Jarencio to the University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers, who will face the hosts of this season, the UE Red Warriors, at 2 p.m.
The España-based team will be headed by dependable winger Nic Cabañero, big man Adama Faye, and promising newcomers SJ Moore and Mark Llemit.
Following the departure of UE’s top six scorers, Noy Remogat, along with new teammates Devin Fikes and the Dumont-Cruz twins Jack and Hunter, aims to take command of the Red Warriors’ squad.
After the first game, defending champions the Ateneo Blue Eagles will battle it out against last season’s finalist, the NU Bulldogs, at 4 p.m.
Returning players Kai Ballungay, Gab Gomez, and Sean Quitevis will now lead Tab Baldwin’s squad from Katipunan. Mason Amos, who demonstrated his prowess during the Sea Games, is a significant figure to keep an eye on.
Despite the loss of key players Dave Ildefonso, BJ Andrade, Ange Kouame, and the controversial Forthsky Padrigao, the Blue Eagles hopes to repeat its championship win.
The NU Bulldogs will be led by Jake Figueroa, Omar John, Mike Malonzo, Steve Nash Enriquez, and Kean Baclaan, as well as newcomers Rein Jumamoy and Mark Parks, the brother of former NU standout and Gilas player Ray Parks.
The DLSU Green Archers and FEU Tamaraws, both under new coaches, will meet the next day at 2 p.m. at the MOA Arena, before the much-awaited super team of UP plays against Adamson at 4 p.m.
OneSports, UAAP Varsity Channel, and Pilipinas Live will broadcast the UAAP games live.
