UP opens redemption campaign against Ateneo

c/o UAAP

Schedule today at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum

11 a.m. – Opening Ceremony

6:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP (Men)

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines kicks off its 87th season on Saturday with one men's basketball matchup at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

At 630pm, the University of the Philippines seeks to make amends after ending up on the losing end of the finals last year with a matchup against neighbors Ateneo de Manila University.

The Fighting Maroons have been the bridesmaids for the past couple of seasons since ending their championship drought in Season 84, being beaten by the Blue Eagles in Season 85 and by La Salle in Season 86.

A win against Ateneo would put them on the right track from the get go. Head coach Goldwin Monteverde says, "Regardless of who we play, the first game sets the tone for our season and helps us start strong. Every team in the UAAP is led by experienced coaches who know how to maximize their respective teams."

He adds, "That is why it is important for us not to take any team lightly, as anyone can be beaten in our league on any given day."

UP remains generally intact, only shedding CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf, but JD Cagulangan remains to stir a renewed offense that still has the likes of Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, and Francis Lopez, as well as tapping a few additions to replenish its frontline.

Monteverde notes, "We are a bigger team this year with the additions of one-and-done Quentin Millora-Brown, Dikachi Ududo, and Gani Stevens. Along with Sean Alter, Francis Lopez, Mark Belmonte, and Jacob Bayla, this is definitely a taller team compared to last season."

In contrast, the Ateneo had to deal with players departing for the professional ranks, led by Kai Ballungay and Jarred Brown, as well as the sudden decision of Mason Amos to transfer to La Salle during the offseason. They also had to deal with LeBron Nieto being redshirted this season as a result of an ACL injury.

Head coach Tab Baldwin is counting on the leadership of its returning captains Sean Quitevis and Chris Koon to steady the ship.

The former Gilas mentos shares, "Sean is doing a great job. They were captains last year and I think that is a great learning experience despite last year not being a great year for us. There was a lot of adversity on the court and a lot of tough situations, losing a lot of close games." He adds, "Those sorts of situations provide a lot of lessons for all of us. I’m sure that Chris and Sean grew a lot and I’ve seen that this year. They’ve done a good job leading this very young team, and it’s a very important role for them. I’m excited, I think the challenge is huge, and I’m just a guy who loves challenges."

Ateneo's postseason streak was almost tested last year, as they needed to dispatch Adamson in a playoff to earn the last ticket to the Final Four.

Preceding the Battle of Katipunan is an elaborate Opening Ceremony that starts at 11am.The event is headlined by a performance by the Eraserheads, with a variety of musical acts along the way that highlights this season's theme of "Stronger. Better. Together."

The remaining basketball matches will take place on Sunday, capped off by the Green Archers' matchup against National University at 630pm at the same venue.

Sean Chambers makes his UAAP coaching debut at 3pm for Far Eastern University against Adamson, with the matchup of the University of the East and the University of Santo Tomas slated at 1pm.

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines opens its redemption season with a clash against Katipunan rival Ateneo in the lone UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game today (Saturday) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Fighting Maroons and the Blue Eagles meet for the first time since last season’s Final Four at 6:30 p.m. Both teams split the championships in 2022, with each series extending to three games.

After ending their 36-year championship drought in the 2022 bubble tournament, UP has settled for runner-up honors in the last two seasons. The Fighting Maroons lost to the Kevin Quiambao-led Green Archers in the Finals last year.