UAAP adjusts September basketball schedule for Gilas duties

MANILA, Philippines — The UAAP is adjusting its September basketball schedule to accommodate the Gilas Pilipinas’ campaigns in the Asian Games and Fiba 3×3 Under-23 World Cup.

There will be only five gamedays for the collegiate men’s and women’s basketball tournaments from Sept. 13 to 30, the UAAP announced.

The Season 89 opening ceremony is set for Sept. 12 at  Mall of Asia Arena, with the first men’s basketball games scheduled the following day at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Far Eastern University will face Adamson at noon, followed by defending champion La Salle against National University at 2:30 p.m. University of the Philippines will then take on University of Santo Tomas at 6 p.m.

The men’s schedule will continue on September 16 at MOA Arena, September 19 at Smart Araneta Coliseum, September 26 at MOA Asia Arena and September 30 at the same venue.

The schedule adjustments were made as several UAAP players are set to represent the Philippines in September.

“We have always believed that the UAAP’s mission goes beyond the competition. We are here to develop student-athletes who can represent our schools, but we are equally proud when they get the opportunity to represent the country,” said UAAP Season 89 President Mark Molina of Far Eastern University. FEU’s Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa and Adamson’s Earl Medina are scheduled to compete in the Fiba 3×3 Under-23 World Cup in Wuhan, China, from September 15 to 19.

La Salle’s Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo and UST’s Koji Buenaflor are set to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas 3×3  in the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, from September 21 to 25.

The collegiate women’s basketball tournament will also start later as the national teams for the Asian Games and the U23 World Cup are expected to include several UAAP student-athletes.

“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,” Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy said.

“We appreciate the UAAP for working closely with us and for making the necessary adjustments to accommodate our national team commitments.”