COLLEGIATE season is once again upon us as the UAAP Season 87 commences this Saturday.
Drumlines are set to line the nosebleeds and the pep squads are already waiting, which means it’s time to show your school spirit anew.
But which games should you really put extra attention to?
Let SPIN.ph help you in calendaring the must-see matchups for the first round of the tournament.
Ateneo vs. UP
Sept. 7 (Saturday), 6:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum
What better way for us to kick off the new season with a good old Battle of Katipunan?
UP, this season’s hosts, isn’t just locked in to send a strong statement in its first game. It also wants to get back at its modern-day rival in Ateneo.
Add to the equation Jared Bahay making his UAAP debut against the same school he initially committed to, and it’s going to be a super-charged opener at the Big Dome.
UE vs. UST
Sept. 8 (Sunday), 1 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum
How about this one? Kyle Paranada makes his UST debut against the very same school he spurned.
There’s a lot of hype surrounding the new faces in Espana, but Paranada will get first dibs in exorcising the skeletons in his closet when the Growling Tigers take on UE.
La Salle vs. NU
Sept. 8 (Sunday), 6:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum
Ok fine, we know Kean Baclaan is still not playing. But bet on him to be on the sidelines when defending champion La Salle begins its quest for back-to-back against NU.
The Bulldogs will definitely go guns ablaze, ready to show that they have moved on with Steve Nash Enriquez and Reinhard Jumamoy taking care of the point against the mighty Green Archers who still have reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao.
And oh, don’t you forget this was a rematch of last year’s semifinals, so this one’s really going to be a banger.
UST vs. Ateneo
Sept. 11 (Wednesday), 6:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum
Oh, this one’s going to be interesting.
Forthsky Padrigao meets his old peers, this time wearing the black-and-gold, as he crosses paths with Ateneo.
How will the former MVP runner-up react being on the opposing side of the BEBOB?
UP vs. UE
Sept. 14 (Saturday), 6:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum
Gani Stevens looks comfortable in maroon, but before he got there, he was bleeding red.
Now, the Red Warriors want his head, as they try to take down the Fighting Maroons in this hard-knocks matchup.
And watching from the sidelines, for sure? Former UE top gun Rey Remogat who will suit up for State U next year.
La Salle vs. Ateneo
Sept. 15 (Sunday), 6:30 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena
Old rivalries die hard, and even though they’re in different planes now, this is still Ateneo-La Salle.
Topex Robinson, with his star-studded Green Archers, faces off against Tab Baldwin and his hungry Blue Eagles.
The on-court action will be intense, but expect the energy of the crowd to be even more electric.
NU vs. UP
Sept. 18 (Wednesday), 6:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum
Over the years, a lot of history has surrounded these two proud programs and this season is no different.
Expect another intense coaching chess match between Goldwin Monteverde and Jeff Napa, long fierce foes from the juniors who have brought over their respective brilliance to the seniors.
La Salle vs. FEU
Sept. 25 (Wednesday), 4:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum
Blue-chip rookie forward Veejay Pre gets his feet wet against the best player in college today as he’ll be matched up against one KQ.
Will he sink or swim in this duel between the Tamaraws and the Green Archers?
Adamson vs. NU
Sept. 25 (Wednesday), 6:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum
NU rookie Tebol Garcia meets his old alma mater Adamson, who have prepared a rude reception for him - this time in the seniors division.
Lucky for him, he’s not the only one in that position in the Bulldogs’ lair, with Jake Figueroa also traversing this path before and now proudly wearing gold and blue.
UST vs. La Salle
Sept. 29 (Sunday), 4:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum
UST’s claim to be a legitimate contender will be put to the test when it collides against La Salle.
Also, an interesting subplot will be Juno Sauler in the Growling Tigers’ lair, now serving as an assistant for Pido Jarencio over a decade since he led the Green Archers to the UAAP pinnacle.
UST vs. UP
Oct. 2 (Wednesday), 4:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum
This is more than just a battle between Church and State.
Padrigao takes one of his last cracks against old rivals Gerry Abadiano and Terrence Fortea when UST and UP butt heads.
FEU vs. UST
Oct. 5 (Saturday), 4:30 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena
Anyone up for a good old Ginebra-Alaska clash?
Sean Chambers brings Tim Cone’s vaunted triangle to the Tamaraws, as he faces off against Jarencio and the Growling Tigers, who are all determined to show that NSD spirit.
Ateneo vs. NU
Oct. 5 (Saturday), 6:30 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena
Bisdaks represent!
Bahay squares off against Enriquez and Jumamoy in this fierce battle between elite Cebuano guards when the Blue Eagles and the Bulldogs duel.
La Salle vs. UP
Oct. 6 (Sunday), 6:30 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena
Finals rematch. Need we say more?
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