UAAP Season 88 basketball first round schedule released

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has officially released the first-round schedule for its Season 88 basketball competitions, which will commence next weekend at the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

The men's division features several highly anticipated matchups, including the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry on October 5 at Mall of Asia Arena and the Finals rematch between the University of the Philippines and La Salle on October 19 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The opening weekend on September 20 at UST's Quadricentennial Pavilion will see Far Eastern University face Ateneo, followed by La Salle versus Adamson, with National University playing University of the East and UP defending its crown against UST on the following day.

The U-16 division also kicks off on September 20 at UST, while the women's competition begins on September 24, also at UST.

UST will serve as the host for the initial three playdates across all three basketball divisions, with Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Arena also being utilized as venues.

Specifically, Smart Araneta Coliseum will host games on September 27, including matchups in the U-16 division and the women's division where NU begins its title defense against FEU.