The University Athletics Association of the Philippines is expanding its sports calendar for Season 88, giving more student-athletes a stage to showcase their skills with the return of one sport and the debut of another.
During the press conference of University of Santo Tomas, the hosts confirmed that high school boys’ baseball is making its long-awaited comeback, while the league is also introducing a boys’ tennis tournament at the high school level.
“High school baseball will be coming back. Also, we’ll be introducing [the] tennis boys’ tournament for high school this Season 88. Those are some changes in the schedule,” said UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics Director Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P. on Wednesday morning at the Dr. Robert Sy Grand Ballroom of the UST Paredes Building.
The revival of high school baseball is a timely development, especially after the Junior Golden Sox, the defending champions from Season 82, made history by competing in the 2025 Babe Ruth World Series held August 1 to 9 in Ocala, Florida.
Meanwhile, the launch of the boys’ tennis event reflects the growing momentum of Philippine tennis, buoyed by the success of 20-year-old Filipina tennis star Alex Eala, currently ranked World No. 75, who recently notched a breakthrough win over World No. 14 Clara Tauson at the US Open.
The league is also reshuffling its calendar to accommodate the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games, moving judo and taekwondo — usually staged in the first semester — to the second semester to avoid scheduling conflicts.
