THE UAAP is adjusting its September schedule for both the collegiate men’s and women’s basketball tournaments to accommodate Gilas Pilipinas’ campaigns in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan and the FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup 2026 in Wuhan, China.
“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,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy.
“We appreciate the UAAP for working closely with us and for making the necessary adjustments to accommodate our national team commitments. This kind of partnership allows our athletes to compete for both their schools and the Philippines with the support they need.”
As such, there will only be five game days from September 13 to 30.
“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 Season 89 President Mark Molina of FEU.
“The UAAP will always support all our national teams, and we are willing to adjust our schedules whenever necessary to give our student-athletes the opportunity to serve the Philippines.”
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The opening ceremony will be held on September 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with Vice Ganda and Gloc-9 headlining the festivities.
The first game day will be on September 13 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, with FEU facing Adamson at 12 p.m., followed by defending champion La Salle taking on National U at 2:30 p.m. in a rematch of last season’s Final Four.
The University of the Philippines will then square off against University of Santo Tomas at 6 p.m. Separate tickets will be sold for the UP-UST game.
On September 16 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Ateneo and University of the East will make their season debuts at 3 p.m., followed by the Green Archers-Growling Tigers clash at 5:30 p.m.
The schedules of FEU, Adamson, UST, and La Salle have been adjusted, as Tamaraws Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa, along with Soaring Falcon Earl Medina, are set to compete in the FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup, which runs from September 15 to 19.
Meanwhile, La Salle's Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo, along with UST’s Koji Buenaflor, will suit up for Gilas 3x3 U23 in the Asian Games, which will be held from September 21 to 25.
The collegiate women’s basketball tournament will also have a late start, as the Gilas Women teams for the Asian Games — both 5-on-5 and 3x3 — and the Under-23 World Cup are expected to be composed largely of UAAP student-athletes.
“We are very grateful to the UAAP for its understanding and support of our 3x3 program and our national team athletes,” said SBP 3x3 basketball program director Ryan Gregorio.
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