By El Amigo
MANILA — The UAAP is reshaping its September basketball calendar to allow student-athletes to fulfill upcoming international commitments with the Philippine national teams.
The league will limit its men’s basketball schedule to five gamedays from September 13 to 30, while the women’s tournament will also get a later start as UAAP players are expected to be tapped for national-team competitions.
Several players are set to compete in either the 2026 Asian Games in Japan or the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup in Wuhan, China.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Erika Dy thanked the UAAP for accommodating the national federation’s requirements.
According to Dy, the league’s cooperation gives student-athletes a chance to represent their schools while also serving the country on the international stage.
Season 89 officially opens on September 12 with ceremonies at the Araneta Coliseum. Men’s basketball action begins the following day at the Big Dome.
FEU and Adamson will open the competition at noon on September 13, followed by the La Salle-National University matchup at 2:30 p.m. UP and UST will close the day’s schedule at 6 p.m.
Ateneo and UE will begin their campaigns on September 16 at the Mall of Asia Arena, with La Salle also scheduled to play UST that day.
NU and UE meet on September 19, before Ateneo and UP renew their rivalry in the first-round Battle of Katipunan.
The September 26 triple-header pits Ateneo against Adamson, UE against FEU and UP against NU. The month’s final games on September 30 feature Adamson versus UST and FEU against La Salle.
The adjusted calendar takes into account the international assignments of several players.
FEU’s Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa and Adamson’s Earl Medina are expected to join the Philippine delegation to the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup, scheduled from September 15 to 19.
For the Asian Games, La Salle’s Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo and UST’s Koji Buenaflor are slated to join Gilas from September 21 to 25.
SBP 3×3 program director Ryan Gregorio said the UAAP’s willingness to adjust its schedule gives players sufficient time to prepare for national-team duties.
UAAP Season 89 president Mark Molina of FEU said the league remains committed to producing athletes capable of competing at both the collegiate and international levels.
