UNIVERSITY of the Philippines is taking its fight beyond the UAAP, joining the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) for another chance at measuring itself against some of the region’s top collegiate programs.
The Fighting Maroons are among 18 university teams from 11 markets competing in the regional league, which is introducing a home-and-away format to Asian college basketball.
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UP landed in Group 4 of the 12-team Eastern Conference alongside Japanese universities Nippon Sport Science University (NSSU) and Nihon University.
The Fighting Maroons are set to host both Japanese sides in Manila in February 2027, facing NSSU on February 12 at 7 p.m. Philippine time before taking on Nihon on February 14 at 5 p.m. The venues for both games have yet to be announced.
UP made its AUBL debut last season, reaching the quarterfinals before bowing to China's Tsinghua University, 85-81. The Fighting Maroons finished second in Group B with a 1-1 record, beating Japan's Hakuoh University, 76-63, before falling to Korea University, 70-60.
Home-and-away format
The league will feature 54 games across two conferences. The 12-team Eastern Conference runs from November through March, with teams playing their two group rivals twice, home and away. The top eight advance to Championship Week, joined by defending champion Shanghai Jiao Tong University, which has an automatic berth.
The six-team Southern Conference will hold a separate tournament in Hanoi, Vietnam, from April 7 to 11, 2027, with three teams earning spots in the championship.
Championship Week is set for August 16 to 22, 2027, featuring 12 teams in group play and a single-elimination knockout stage to determine the continental champion.
“This is a landmark moment for university basketball in Asia,” said Jay Li, CEO of AUBL.
“For the first time, the continent’s best college teams will be tested home and away, and that changes everything. This season will connect different cultures and styles of basketball, bring the game to more fans than ever and give student-athletes new opportunities to travel, compete and learn."
The league opens its season in Seoul, South Korea, on November 22, when Yonsei University hosts Shanghai Jiao Tong. Yonsei will then face China's Tsinghua University on November 24.
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