UAAP basketball players will share the spotlight with fellow athletes from all sports when the league opens its new season on July 14 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
National University athletic director Junel Baculi, the UAAP Season 75 secretary treasurer, said all athletes from the 28 events to be played in 15 sports will be represented in the glitzy opening rites which start at 12:30 p.m.
“We want all the athletes to take center stage in the opening,” said Baculi.
Baculi said that they will do away with the traditional parade of basketball teams. Instead, all team captains from all sports will take center stage at the newly-built sports stadium owned by the SM Group of Companies.
Christine Patrimonio, daughter of three-time PBA MVP Alvin Patrimonio, will be the master of ceremonies of the event. Incidentally, she is also a UAAP athlete as she will suit up for the NU tennis team after completing her one-year residency.
Details of the opening ceremonies are being kept under wraps. “But from what I understand, there will be lots of lights and sounds,” said Baculi.
Aside from the opening ceremonies kicking off a season which goes by theme "Unbreakable at 75," a concert will also be held outside the MOA Arena.
After the opening ceremonies, the men’s basketball competitions begin with host NU facing University of the East at 2 p.m. to be followed by the match-up between Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas.
De La Salle faces University of the Philippines the following day at 2 p.m. before defending champion Ateneo strut wares with Adamson at 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, the league will hold its eligibility meeting on Friday where line-ups from all sports will be finalized.
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