Bagunas, Espejo to lead the historic FIVB World Championship debut
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UAAP Season 88 opens with UST vs UP blockbuster showdown
A full house is expected at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion when the Growling Tigers host defending champion UP Fighting Maroons in a blockbuster men’s basketball showdown on September 21, headlining the UAAP Season 88 opening weekend.
UST GROWLING TIGERS VS UP FIGHTING MAROONS
The highly anticipated clash caps a festive three-day stretch at Asia’s oldest university, which will open the season with a grand ceremony on September 19, followed by the first wave of games on September 20.
The FEU Tamaraws, playing without Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre, kick off the men’s tournament against the Ateneo Blue Eagles led by Jared Bahay at 2 p.m., before La Salle’s revamped roster—featuring newcomers Mason Amos, Kean Baclaan, and Jacob Cortez alongside veteran Michael Phillips—takes on the scrappy Adamson Soaring Falcons at 4:30 p.m.
On September 21, the UE Red Warriors, led by John Abate and new coach Chris Gavina, battle the NU Bulldogs and Jake Figueroa at 2 p.m., setting the stage for the UST–UP main event at 4:30 p.m.
The Tigers will be without suspended playmaker Forthsky Padrigao but remain powered by scoring leader Nic Cabañero, guard Kyle Paranada, and rookie foreign student-athlete Collins Akowe.
The Maroons counter with their seasoned guard trio of Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, and Terrence Fortea, now reinforced by prized recruit and former MVP runner-up Noy Remogat.
UST GROWLING TIGRESSES VS NU LADY BULLDOGS
Women’s basketball tips off on September 24, slightly later than usual, with several stars, including Adamson’s Elaine Etang and Cheska Apag, NU’s Christine Cayabyab, and Ateneo’s reigning two-time MVP Kacey dela Rosa, committed to Gilas Pilipinas for the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup from September 17–21.
With MOA Arena and Araneta Coliseum occupied by the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship until September 28, UST will host most of the early-season basketball games.
Other major venues, PhilSports Arena, FilOil EcoOil Centre, Rizal Memorial Coliseum, and Ninoy Aquino Stadium, are also being used as training hubs for the 32 participating volleyball nations.
