UST rides home crowd wave in UAAP Season 88 debut vs champion UP

The UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament will open with a capacity crowd expected at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on September 21, featuring a marquee matchup between the UST Growling Tigers and defending champions UP Fighting Maroons. The game is part of a festive three-day opening weekend from September 19-21, which includes an elaborate opening ceremony and the first slate of basketball games.

The opening weekend schedule includes multiple games: FEU Tamaraws vs Ateneo Blue Eagles at 2 pm on September 20, La Salle Green Archers vs Adamson Soaring Falcons at 4:30 pm the same day, followed by UE Red Warriors vs NU Bulldogs at 2 pm on September 21, and the UST-UP main event at 4:30 pm. Key players to watch include UST's Nic Cabañero, Kyle Paranada, and Collins Akowe, while UP will feature Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, and new recruit Noy Remogat.

Women's basketball will start later on September 24, as several top UAAP players will be representing Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup from September 17-21. UST will host most basketball games until the end of September, as other major venues like the Mall of Asia Arena and Araneta Coliseum are reserved for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship until September 28. Additional venues such as PhilSports Arena and FilOil EcoOil Centre are also reserved as training sites for the FIVB event.