By Jun Ray Navarres
Katipunan rivals University of the Philippines and Ateneo De Manila University will serve as curtain raiser for UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on September 7, at the Big Dome.
Season host Fighting Maroons will have an early face off against the rookie-laden Blue Eagles for an early advantage to this year’s version of the most anticipated collegiate basketball tournament.
The tip off will be at 6:30PM on a separate ticket from the 11:00 AM opening ceremony which is going to be spearheaded by UP Alumni and OPM legends, Eraserheads.
“Our opening ceremony is a celebration of the spirit of unity amid rivalry that defines the UAAP. The performance by the Eraserheads, along with other talented artists from UP, will be a memorable highlight as we embark on a season that truly embodies our theme of unity,” shared UAAP Season 87 President and UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II, LLM.
Season 87 will feature an expanded basketball tournament including three divisions: collegiate men’s, collegiate women’s, and junior high school boys’. Each gameday for the first semester will showcase six games, two from each division.
A jam-packed second day of the tourney will include 11 games across two venues distributed in Adamson Gym with six matches and Smart Araneta Coliseum which will host five.
Meanwhile, bitter rivals Ateneo and De La Salle University are scheduled to meet a week later on September 15 at 6:30 PM.
Last year’s finalist DLSU and UP will cap the first round of the men’s collegiate tournament on October 6.
“As we embrace the theme ‘Stronger, Better, Together’ for UAAP Season 87, we are thrilled to witness the vibrant competition and unity that define our league. This season will truly exemplify our commitment to elevating the experience for our student-athletes,” said UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rene “Rebo” Saguisag.
One Sports will televise men’s and women’s versions on free TV during Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays while UAAP Varsity Channel and Pilipinas Live app will broadcast in high definition all games including junior high school boys.
Featured photo courtesy of UAAP
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