Maroons, Eagles clash on October 16

MANILA, Philippines — All eyes will be on titleholder University of the Philippines and dethroned three-time champion Ateneo in men’s basketball as UAAP Season 85 holds a full calendar beginning Oct. 1.

Only four months after their historic finals duel that saw the Fighting Maroons regain the throne after 36 years, the Battle of Katipunan erupts on Oct. 16 with the Blue Eagles eyeing payback.

The first-round duel, slated at 4:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena, looms as one of UAAP’s marquee games to usher in its return to a full swing 21-sport, 60-event calendar for the first time since 2019.

The UAAP staged limited events for Season 84 with UP carving out a 2-1 finals win over the then three-time champion Ateneo on JD Cagulangan’s game-winning triple.

Ateneo faces long-time nemesis La Salle on Oct. 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The new UAAP season rolls off on Oct. 1 featuring UP and La Salle in the main game at 4 p.m. at the MOA Arena after the clash of host Adamson and Santo Tomas at 2 p.m.

It will mark the debut of former Tiger Bal David as the new Santo Tomas mentor.

Women’s basketball also begins on Oct. 1 with the same cast in the morning schedule before six-time reigning champion NU Lady Bulldogs face UE the next day.

NU, holder of a historic 96-game winning streak, will be under new coach Aris Dimaunahan after the departure of Pat Aquino, who has opted to focus on the Gilas Pilipinas women’s program as head coach and director.