MANILA, Philippines — For the first time in forever, it will be a reversal of roles in the never-ending “Battle of Katipunan.”
Host University of the Philippines comes in as a heavy favorite and rarely, against an underdog Ateneo side in the highly-anticipated opener of the 87th UAAP Season today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Hostilities fire off at 6:30 p.m. with the Fighting Maroons eyeing to kickstart their redemption bid on a perfect note opposite the Blue Eagles in an unfamiliar transition phase after a streak of six finals appearances.
Before that though, fans will be in for a journey back in time with the iconic rock band “Eraserheads” at 11 a.m. for the opening act.
Reigning champion La Salle begins its title defense tomorrow versus National University after the matches of UE-UST and Adamson-FEU to wrap up the opening weekend.
Save for a historic championship in Season 84 to snap a 36-year title drought, UP has been on the receiving end of the bloodbath against its Katipunan neighbors, including finals losses in Seasons 81 and 85.
More defeats, even before the season started with massive underdog odds, transpired in the years before as Ateneo built a UAAP dynasty from 2008-2012 and 2017-2019.
Not this time around as three-time finalist UP parades a formidable squad that won its second title via sweep in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup, where Ateneo on the other hand finished winless in seven outings.
UP lost MVP Malick Diouf, CJ Cansino, Cyril Gonzales and Luis Pablo but retained its other core led by Lebron Lopez, JD Cagulangan and Gerry Abadiano plus the addition of Gilas Pilipinas youth standout Jacob Bayla and reinforcement Dikachi Ududo.
And that should be enough manpower for the hungry Maroons in a bid to finally bring back the title to Diliman after two straight runner-up finishes, including a meltdown against La Salle last season.