The past few months saw volleyball dominate the headlines with the Premier Volleyball League’s preseason tournaments and, of course, the country’s hosting of the FIVB Men’s World Championship 2025.
But on Sunday, Philippine basketball returns with a vengeance.
Three of the country’s biggest rivalry games will be staged across different venues in Metro Manila.
The heated San Beda–Letran clash tips off at 2:30 p.m. at the Filoil Centre in San Juan. At 4:30 p.m., the iconic Ateneo–La Salle rivalry takes center stage at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Finally, the Manila Clasico closes the night at 7:30 p.m. inside the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum.
All eyes will be on the Magnolia–Ginebra showdown, which officially ushers in the PBA’s landmark 50th season.
LA Tenorio, who spent 13 years with Ginebra and won seven championships with the franchise, is now on the opposite side, calling the shots for the Hotshots. He reshaped the Magnolia roster by acquiring Javi Gomez de Liano to team up with fellow young standouts Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa.
To begin his coaching career, Tenorio faces none other than his longtime mentor, Tim Cone, who is eyeing his 26th PBA championship.
Magnolia currently holds a slim all-time series lead at 109-102, but Ginebra has won the last four meetings.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Ateneo–La Salle rivalry gains new life after a busy offseason for both sides.
Tab Baldwin’s one-and-done trio of Kymani Ladi, Dom Escobar, and Jaden Lazo has sparked a resurgence for Ateneo, which finished at the bottom of the standings last season. The Blue Eagles enter the rivalry game undefeated at 3-0 in UAAP Season 88, while the Green Archers sit at 2-1.
“We can forget these first three games and just remember that it’s Ateneo-La Salle. So you throw the script out, you throw everything out. You just get ready for a dogfight,” said Baldwin.
Adding intrigue to the matchup, Mason Amos will be facing his former school after spending his rookie season with Ateneo.
“I know it’s going to be an eventful one, but again, I just look at it as another game,” said Amos.
On La Salle’s end, head coach Topex Robinson is still working on blending Amos, Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, and Luis Pablo into the Green Archers’ core.
Still, Robinson believes the rivalry itself will provide the motivation his team needs.
“It’s a game that never gets old. Grateful to be a part of Philippine basketball’s greatest rivalry,” said Robinson.
The head-to-head series currently favors Ateneo at 49-48, though La Salle has won the last three encounters.
Over in the NCAA, San Beda and Letran renew their rivalry with new faces leading the charge in their first meeting of Season 101.
The Red Lions are bannered by Filipino-American wing Janti Miller, while the Knights are relying on guard Jonathan Manalili to steady their backcourt.
“I actually never played against them. This game will be my first, and what better way to do it in front of a crowd and that it counts?” said Miller after San Beda’s 96-85 opening day win over Benilde.
“Syempre sobra, kasi from juniors kumbaga andon na yung winning culture sa akin. Di ako sanay matalo at palaban akong tao. Kaya ayon, ganon ako kagigil,” said Manalili, eager to bounce back after Letran’s 69-73 loss to JRU last Friday.
Since the Final Four era began, San Beda holds a 39-24 edge over Letran. However, the Knights took their most recent meeting last season, 75-71.
