UAAP moves basketball schedule to accommodate Gilas players

MANILA – The September schedule for the collegiate men’s and women’s basketball tournaments of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) will be adjusted to accommodate two international tournaments.

Some players will be joining Gilas Pilipinas in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, set Sept. 19 to Oct. 4, and the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup in Wuhan, China on Sept. 15 to 19.

“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,” Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Erika Dy said in a news release Monday.

“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," she added.

UAAP Season 89 president Mark Molina of host Far Eastern University said they “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,” he said. “The UAAP will always support all our national teams, and we are willing to adjust our schedules whenever necessary to give our student-athletes to serve the Philippines.”

The UAAP Season 89 opening ceremony is set on Sept. 12 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Games will begin Sept. 13 at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City with FEU facing Adamson University at noon, defending champion De La Salle University taking on National University at 2:30 p.m., and University of the Philippines battling University of Santo Tomas at 6 p.m.

The other schedules are Sept. 16 at Mall of Asia Arena (Ateneo de Manila University versus University of the East at 3 p.m. and De La Salle versus UST at 5:30 p.m.); and Sept. 19 at Araneta Coliseum (NU versus UE at 3 p.m. and Ateneo versus UP at 5:30 p.m.).

On Sept. 26 also at the Pasay Arena, Ateneo faces off with Adamson at noon, UE tests FEU at 2:30 p.m., and UP meets NU at 6 p.m.; while on Sept. 30 at the same venue, it will be Adamson versus UST at 3 p.m. and FEU against La Salle at 5:30 p.m.

“We are very grateful to the UAAP for its understanding and support of our 3x3 program and our national team athletes,” SBP 3x3 basketball program director Ryan Gregorio said.

“These student-athletes are not only representing their respective schools but also the Philippines, and the UAAP’s willingness to adjust its calendar allows them to prepare and compete for the country without having to choose between their national team duties and their commitments to their schools." (PNA)