Manila: The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 commenced on September 19 at the historic University of Santo Tomas (UST) campus, under the theme ‘Strength in Motion, Hope in Action.’
According to Philippines News Agency, the opening ceremony featured a grand celebration that intertwined tradition and faith, beginning with a mass inspired by the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope at 2 p.m. The evening’s ‘Journey of Hope’ program included a parade of student-athletes, the oath of sportsmanship, and the symbolic lighting of the UAAP cauldron. The night concluded with performances, a drone display, wall projection mapping, fireworks, a surprise number, and a ‘Hope Concert,’ embodying the spirit of “Paskuhan” and the “Welcome Walk.”
UAAP Season 88 president Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P. expressed enthusiasm during a press conference in San Juan City, stating, ‘The gates of Espa±a are now wide open, and the stage is set. To the entire UAAP community, we are ready to give our all and let out the loudest roar this season. This year, we rise to the challenge – bigger, bolder, and more spectacular than ever before.’
The men’s basketball games commenced on September 20 with Far Eastern University facing Ateneo de Manila University at 2 p.m., followed by Adamson University against De La Salle University at 4:30 p.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena. University of the East competed with National University at 1 p.m., while University of the Philippines and UST played at 4:30 p.m. on September 21, with junior high school boys’ basketball games scheduled earlier that day. Women’s collegiate basketball competition is set to begin on September 24.
In a significant development, the UAAP approved a rule change permitting schools to list up to two foreign student-athletes (FSA) in their team pool starting Season 89. UAAP Executive Director, lawyer Rene Saguisag Jr., explained that while only one FSA may be part of the active roster at any given time, teams can now keep a second on reserve. This change aims to provide roster security and maintain balance across all sports.
The collegiate men’s games will be broadcast live on free-to-air via One Sports and in high definition on the UAAP Varsity Channel on Cignal. MediaQuest and Cignal president and chief executive officer Jane Jimenez-Basas reiterated the commitment to providing a world-class platform for student-athletes, stating, ‘They are the future of Philippine sports, and we are honored to help tell their stories to the nation.’