UAAP set for inaugural Junior High School Basketball

Ziv Espinas set to be part of the inaugural UAAP JHS competition

Games on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Gym

9 a.m. - UST vs FEU-D

11 a.m. - NUNS vs ADU

1 p.m. - UE vs DLSZ

In continuation of a "season of firsts," the University Athletic Association of the Philippines is set to kick off its inaugural Junior High School Basketball Tournament, with the opener set for Sunday at the Quadricentennial Pavillion inside the University of Santo Tomas campus.

UAAP Season 86 president Rodrigo Roque of the University of the East, shares about the decision to add this event, "We recognize the need for nurturing our young talents at the high school level. Introducing a dedicated division for Junior High School student-athletes is a crucial step, ensuring equal exposure that becomes the bedrock for their development in higher competitions. This move not only hones their skills early but also readies them for the road ahead."

Seven of the eight member institutions are earmarked for participation in this under-16 demonstration event, with only the University of the Philippines not involved. Each school has been earmarked to host a playdate, with UST, Adamson, and FEU-Diliman set to host the first three playdates before the league takes a break to commemorate Holy Week.

Serving as the opener in the inaugural tripleheader are the Tiger Cubs hosting the Baby Tamaraws at 9am, with the much-anticipated matchup between the Baby Falcons and the Bullpups at 11.

Although both teams will be fielding new players for this competition, it is a rematch of teams who faced off in the finals of the just-concluded high school boys tournament, which Adamson claimed for the first time since 1993.

Capping off the day is the matchup between the University of the East and La Salle-Zobel at 1pm.

Idle for this week, Ziv Espinas and Ateneo will make their tourney debut on March 16 against Zobel at 11am.

After the eliminations, the top four teams will advance to the knockout semifinals slated to take place on April 27, with the winners facing off in a one-game championship.

The UAAP views the Juniors High School Basketball Tournament as a way forward for the league to pursue down the line with other events.

Roque adds, "In envisioning the future of UAAP, the Junior High School Basketball Tournament serves as a testing ground, a 'test event' that we hope will evolve into a staple for the seasons to come. Our long-term goal transcends basketball, as we aim to broaden this initiative to encompass other high school events in seasons to come."