As the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament kicks off this year, it will do so later than usual as the league makes room for the Philippines’ bid for international glory at Asia’s biggest multi-sport event.
The UAAP, in line with its mission to contribute to the continued growth of Philippine sports, has moved the start of its men’s football tournament in support of the country’s campaign at the 20th Asian Games in Japan this month.
Making its first Asian Games appearance in 52 years, a Philippine national team composed mostly of under-23 players and three veteran players will seek to deliver the country’s first podium finish in the event, which will run from September 22 to October 3.
The selection includes Ateneo de Manila University midfielder Dov Cariño and University of the Philippines duo Josh Meriño and Fonzy Gonzalez, while Fighting Maroons head coach Popoy Clariño will join the team as an assistant coach.
The Philippines is grouped with Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait, with the matches set to be played at CS Asset Minato Soccer Stadium in Nagoya.
“The Philippine Football Community comes together in the interest of International Sports,” said Philippine Football Federation President John Gutierrez.
“The PFF would like to thank the University Athletics Association of the Philippines for its consideration and support of the Men’s U23 Team that is set to participate in the upcoming Asian Games. The UAAP has adjusted its schedule to allow players to represent the Philippines in Nagoya, Japan.”
Adjusting its competition schedule to help a national team compete for the flag and country is part of the UAAP’s commitment to supporting Philippine sports.
Far Eastern University clinched its fourth straight championship in the women’s division in Season 88 on November 15, 2025, just six days before the start of the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup.
Meanwhile, UP captured its second men’s championship in three years on February 23, 2026, after its campaign was paused in November 2025 to accommodate the U23 national team’s preparations for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
“As the event host for UAAP football this season, the University of the Philippines fully understands the importance of accommodating our student-athletes who have been called up to represent the country,” said UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol. “We are working closely with the UAAP to make the necessary adjustments to the schedule and ensure that our players can fulfill their national team duties while maintaining the integrity of the competition.
“Hosting the UAAP football tournament also gives us an opportunity to support the development of Philippine football. We are proud that our student-athletes have the chance to compete at the Asian Games, and we want to do our part in making sure they can represent the Philippines to the best of their abilities.”
Considering how the UAAP adjusted its matches last season, making room for the national team’s Asian Games campaign is nothing new for Tournament Commissioner Rely San Agustin.
San Agustin, a former national team player himself, echoed Perasol’s sentiments on the importance of adapting the UAAP calendar to accommodate student-athletes who earn the privilege of representing the country.
He also explained how the league plans to adjust the schedules of schools whose players are called up for international duty.
“The same with the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup and the SEA Games, we’ve also adjusted the schedule for this coming season, especially for the men’s division,” said San Agustin.
“We were originally scheduled to start September 20, but now we’re looking to start probably the second week of October. It really depends now on the number of UAAP players who will be chosen. If it’s only going to be a couple of schools — let’s say Ateneo and UP — then there is a possibility we can still push through with September 20, but no Ateneo or UP matches. That’s our way of adjusting.
“The tournament can also start earlier than the second week of October depending on how our national team fares. We can start a few days or a week after the nationals’ last game in the Asian Games,” he added.
The long-time commissioner also explained that the goal is to finish the men’s tournament by December, with the league potentially scheduling triple-headers twice a week to make up for the delayed start.
“For the Season 89 schedule in the men’s division, if we were to adjust to the second week of October or even earlier, we can still manage to finish in December before the Christmas break. What will happen is every Thursday and Sundays will have triple-header matches,” said San Agustin.
