THE University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has reshuffled its September calendar for the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments to accommodate student-athletes who will see action for the national team in two major international competitions.
Only five gamedays will be held between September 13 and 30 as the UAAP makes room for the Philippine teams competing in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, and the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup in Wuhan, China.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy welcomed the league’s decision, saying the adjustments will allow UAAP players to fulfill their commitments to both their schools and the national team.
“The support of the UAAP is important to our national team programs, especially with so many of our student-athletes being called up to represent the country,” Dy said.
UAAP Season 89 president Mark Molina of Far Eastern University likewise stressed the league’s commitment to helping its athletes pursue national team duties.
The Season 89 festivities will officially begin on September 12 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, with Vice Ganda and Gloc-9 scheduled to headline the opening ceremony.
Competition gets underway the following day with a triple-header at the same venue.
FEU will face Adamson University at noon, while defending champion De La Salle University battles National University at 2:30pm in a rematch of last season’s Final Four.
University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas will complete the opening-day schedule at 6pm with a separate ticket required for their game.
Ateneo de Manila University and University of the East will make their Season 89 debuts on September 16 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena at 3pm, while La Salle and UST will then meet at 5:30pm.
The September 19 double-header at the SMART Araneta Coliseum features NU against UE at 3pm, followed by the first-round meeting between Katipunan rivals Ateneo and UP at 5:30pm.
Another triple-header is scheduled for September 26 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Ateneo takes on Adamson at noon, UE battles FEU at 2:30pm and UP meets NU at 6pm. The UP-NU contest will require a separate ticket.
The month concludes on September 30 with Adamson against UST at 3pm, followed by FEU and La Salle at 5:30pm also at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The schedule changes were made partly because several players from the affected schools will be involved in the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup, which runs from September 15 to 19.
FEU players Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa, as well as Adamson’s Earl Medina, are expected to represent the Philippines in the tournament.
La Salle’s Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo, together with UST’s Koji Buenaflor, are also set to join Gilas Pilipinas for the Asian Games, scheduled from September 21 to 25.
The Philippine men’s 3×3 U23 team has been drawn into Pool A of the Asian Games alongside Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka.
The UAAP women’s basketball tournament will likewise open later than usual because a significant number of national team players are expected to come from the collegiate ranks.
The SBP said UAAP athletes are expected to figure prominently in the Philippine teams for both the Asian Games and the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup.
SBP 3×3 basketball program director Ryan Gregorio thanked the UAAP for giving national team players room to prepare and compete internationally without compromising their school commitments.
“These student-athletes are not only representing their respective schools but also the Philippines,” Gregorio said. “The UAAP’s willingness to adjust its calendar allows them to prepare and compete for the country without having to choose between their national team duties and their commitments to their schools.” (Adrian Co)
