OPENING weekend schedule has been out for a while now, but what about the games to watch out for through the rest of the first round of UAAP Season 88?
Lucky for you, SPIN.ph got you, as we circle our calendars ahead of the upcoming basketball wars.
UP vs. Adamson
Sept. 24, Wednesday at UST Quadricentennial Pavillion
Last year's Cinderella team tests its mettle against the defending champions in a Final Four rematch.
Adamson, much more respected this time out, should give the University of the Philippines a tougher outing compared to their semifinal meeting last season.
UST vs. La Salle
Sept. 27, Saturday at Araneta Coliseum
The first two games should be a good gauge on how serious University of Santo Tomas' title aspirations are.
After starting the season against UP, La Salle is be the next formidable test for Nic Cabanero and Forthsky Padrigao, as they try to plant the Growling Tigers' flag among this season's teams-to-beat.
UE vs. UP
Sept. 28, Sunday at Araneta Coliseum
These two teams have had a rather complicated relationship over the past few years - and this year is no different.
Noy Remogat plays his old alma mater for the first time in a UAAP setting, reuniting with another fellow ex-Red Warrior in Gani Stevens, with one more in Rain Maga watching from the sidelines.
Count on Precious Momowei and John Abate to play their best in this contest and show what the former UE players are missing out on.
UP vs. NU
Oct. 4, Saturday at UST Quadricentennial Pavillion
Talking about history, eh? State U and National U share a lot of that.
This will be a rematch of the championship game of the PlayTime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup and bet on the Bulldogs to not let a repeat of that to happen.
Ateneo vs. La Salle
Oct. 5, Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena
Ah, the good, ol' rivalry game.
Ateneo may have dipped in the pundits' preseason projections, but it's still Ateneo. And La Salle remains among the top of the list for many, if not the championship favorites, per se.
All bets are off, though, when they paint MOA Arena in blue and green once more.
Ateneo vs. UP
Oct. 8, Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena
Could this be one of the final coaching chess matches between Goldwin Monteverde and Tab Baldwin?
The Battle of Katipunan should still garner a lot of eyeballs, especially with the undeniable quality of coaching between these two shot-callers.
UST vs. Ateneo
Oct. 11, Saturday at TBD
The old guard facing the new guard.
Yes, we know, we've seen the duel between Padrigao and Jared Bahay last year, but now that they've fully settled into their roles in their second year with their squads? This one should be a classic.
La Salle vs. NU
Oct. 12, Sunday at UST Quadricentennial Pavillion
Remember Kean Baclaan? The guy who was an absolute bucket when he was in NU?
Oh yeah, he's with La Salle now. And he'll certainly be enemy No. 1 in Jhocson when the Bulldogs and Green Archers cross paths.
UP vs. FEU
Oct. 12, Sunday at UST Quadricentennial Pavillion
Two words: Veejay Pre.
The biggest transfer of the offseason still stings in Morayta that the mere sight of their Rookie of the Year even just from behind the bench of the Fighting Maroons should garner a lot of attention.
Of course, its a golden chance too for the likes of Jorick Bautista, Janrey Pasaol, and Jedric Daa that all is well in FEU following the so-called 'Pre-xit.'
UP vs. La Salle
Oct. 19, Sunday at Araneta Coliseum
Of course, this one takes the cake.
Figuring in the championship in the last two seasons, the new-age rivals dance anew at the Big Dome to end the first round.
Hopefully, all the action will be on the court this time and nothing untoward occurs from the sidelines.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
