UAAP adjusts September basketball schedule for Gilas, 3x3 U23 World Cup commitments
The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has revised its Season 89 basketball schedule, reducing the number of game days in September to accommodate student-athletes representing the country in two international tournaments. The league will hold only five game days from September 13 to 30, according to the UAAP Season 89 President Mark Molina of Far Eastern University.
Molina explained that the adjustment supports players competing in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, and the FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup 2026 in Wuhan, China. "We 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 the opportunity to serve the Philippines."
The schedule change affects four schools in particular: FEU, Adamson University, De La Salle University, and University of Santo Tomas. FEU's Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa, along with Adamson's Earl Medina, are set to compete in the FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup, which runs from September 15 to 19. Meanwhile, La Salle's Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo, along with UST's Koji Buenaflor, will suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games 3x3 basketball, held from September 21 to 25.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) welcomed the UAAP's move. "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," said SBP Executive Director Erika Dy. "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."
Revised September schedule
The season opens on September 13, 2026, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, with FEU facing Adamson at 12 , followed by defending champion La Salle taking on National University at 2:30 m. in a rematch of last season's Final Four. University of the Philippines will then play University of Santo Tomas at 6 , with separate tickets sold for that game.
On September 16 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Ateneo de Manila University and University of the East make their season debuts. September 19 will feature National University versus UE, followed by the Battle of Katipunan between Ateneo and UP in the first round. September 26 will feature another triple-header at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, and September 30 closes the month with Adamson versus UST, followed by FEU versus La Salle.
Without the adjustment, the league would have had eight game days from September 13 to 30, as reported by The Manila Times. As it stands, FEU and Adamson, who face each other on opening day, will not play again until September 26, against Ateneo and UE respectively. La Salle, which plays NU on the 13th and UST on the 16th, will next compete on the 30th against FEU. UST, which faces UP on the 13th and La Salle on the 16th, will resume its campaign on the 30th against Adamson.
The collegiate women's basketball tournament will also have a late start, as the Gilas Pilipinas teams for both the 5x5 and 3x3 Asian Games and the Under-23 World Cup are expected to be composed largely of UAAP student-athletes.
The UAAP Season 89 opening ceremony will be held on September 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with Vice Ganda and Gloc-9 headlining the festivities.