By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of the Philippines begins its title-retention bid in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament against University of Santo Tomas on Sept. 21 at the Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena.
But the one avid fans are looking forward to see is UP’s rematch with La Salle on Oct. 19 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Maroons got back at the Archers last season with a thrilling 66-62 win in Game 3 before another packed crowd.
UP, however, will be without two stars who played key roles in that dramatic 2-1 win.
Crafty guard JD Cagulangan and high-leaping Francis Lopez have since turned pro and have been playing abroad.
Another worth watching is the UP match with Ateneo dubbed as “Battle of Katipunan” at the MoA Arena on October 8 at 4:30 p.m.
Three days before that, another blockbuster match is slated with the first match for the season between legendary rivals Ateneo and La Salle also at
The UP-UST match will mark their first meeting since last season’s Final Four.
Men’s basketball action actually opens on Sept. 20, also at QPav, with last season’s runner-up La Salle taking on Adamson — another Final Four rematch—at 4:30 p.m., following the Far Eastern University–Ateneo matchup at 2 p.m.
On Sept. 21, University of the East, now under new coach Chris Gavina, faces National University at 1 p.m. Tickets for the September 21 doubleheader are sold separately.
The juniors’ competitions also kick off at QPav on Sept. 21.
The Junior Warriors aim for back-to-back 16-and-under titles against the Bullpups at 10:30 a.m., following the Tiger Cubs defending their home court against the Fighting Maroons at 8:30 a.m.
Women’s basketball begins on Sept. 24 at QPav to accommodate Gilas Women’s participation in the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup.
Ateneo and UE open at 12 noon, while UP faces Adamson at 7 p.m.
The league’s first Smart Araneta Coliseum playdate is on September 27.
