NEW season, new drip.
UAAP Season 88 has served up no shortage of that, as players proudly wore their school colors all while showing their pride on the court.
Still inspired by Paul Lukas' Uniwatch, SPIN.ph is here to make our midseason assessments as to this season’s jersey rankings for the men’s basketball tournament.
TOP OF THE CLASS
NU Bulldogs
Clean has been the MO for National U over the past few years and this one just hit the right spots.
Partnering with adidas, the Bulldogs’ uniform this year is as close to perfection as you can get, validating the old saying that less is more.
The blue-and-gold strip running from the side panels and curving down the shorts is just a classic look that works for the Jhocson dribblers.
UST Growling Tigers
When you serve as this season’s hosts, you got to bring the fire - but University of Santo Tomas brought gasoline as well.
Delta Sportswear continues to deliver for the Growling Tigers, this time doing away with the oft-used tiger print for a more Thomasian-inspired design by putting the school’s iconic Main Building in the side panels for this year’s kit.
The drop shadow over the jersey numbers round out the classic look, so that it stands out whether on a white or gold canvas.
DEAN’S LISTERS
La Salle Green Archers
Simplicity remains beauty for La Salle, as it stays with its minimalist approach for this year’s uniform.
This time, Nike opted to have slimmer lines on the neckline, armholes, and side panels of the shorts which just completes the classic Green Archers look.
Again, if ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
UE Red Warriors
After years in the doldrums, University of the East needed something to stand out. And boy, did they.
Anta turned back the clock once more, but this time bringing back a classic 1980s look for the Red Warriors' jersey – from the vintage UE typeface to the simple block red and black lines on the side panels.
It’s a bold move that certainly got our attention.
PASSING GRADE
Ateneo Blue Eagles
Ateneo didn’t have to do much tinkering for this season’s jerseys, as much like La Salle, it’s a look that already worked.
Jordan Brand, though, made some slight changes to the Blue Eagles’ garb, choosing to go with two slim lines on the side panels as its only feature.
You really can’t go wrong with these unis.
UP Fighting Maroons
Look, the University of the Philippines’ uniforms are sleek and clean.
The tribal design on the neckline and armholes, plus the thick Sablay-colored side panels were a nice touch by Puma for the defending champs.
But we can’t turn a blind eye on the uniforms that the Fighting Maroons wore in their first three games. The Oblation silhouette in front, the hotdog-and-mustard-like zigzag patterns on the neckline and armholes, and that Batik design on the shorts just didn’t cut it.
Let’s just thank State U for recognizing the need to change and scrapping that original choice.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
Adamson Soaring Falcons
Kudos to Adamson for finally scrapping that vintage look which it rode to the ground for the better part of the last three seasons.
Anta, however, threw up a miss with this one, as the Soaring Falcons literally have wings as their side panels for this year’s jerseys – not the upgrade we would have wanted.
But if there’s one thing working with these unis, it’s that it mimics the way the team operates: just show up without much fanfare.
FEU Tamaraws
The sad thing about the Far Eastern University jersey goes back to its problem two seasons ago: it’s the wrong shade of green and gold.
It’s a fix we hope Puma could correct moving forward, especially with these home golds looking like highlighter yellows.
The Tamaraw silhouette on the back was a daring choice, but it all goes back to choosing the right color to complete the school’s look.
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