The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines (NCAA) are heading for another collision course as both leagues have scheduled their season openers for September 7, 2024.
This clash of collegiate giants echoes their simultaneous return to action two years ago, when the UAAP Season 84 recommenced at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and the NCAA Season 97 resumed at La Salle Greenhills’ St. Benilde Gym on March 26, 2022.
The upcoming season will see the UAAP’s 87th edition open at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
On the other hand, the NCAA celebrates its centennial with a grand opening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The UAAP was the first to announce its opening date for Season 87 during the closing ceremony of Season 86.
The NCAA followed a month later, with Lyceum of the Philippines University slated to host its 100th season.
The opening day promises to be a spectacle of collegiate sports culture. University of the Philippines (UP) plans a grand opening ceremony highlighting ‘UP culture,’ which will run concurrently with the NCAA’s centennial festivities, marking a century of existence.
If both leagues follow tradition, the UAAP’s opening weekend is likely to feature fierce contests such as UP versus Ateneo, La Salle versus National University, Adamson versus Far Eastern University, and University of the East versus University of Santo Tomas in three divisions.
Meanwhile, the NCAA will showcase defending champion San Beda against Lyceum, with College of Saint Benilde and Mapua University facing off in another anticipated clash.
The other six teams will play their seniors basketball tournament-openers on Sunday.
The UAAP has already begun to promote Season 87 with various initiatives, including playing its inaugural Esports Tournament and the announcement of its new arena.
