The student-athletes of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Basketball Tournament joined the excitement leading up to the 2024-25 NBA season tip-off.
Hoopers from University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, and Adamson University proudly showcased their favorite NBA teams before their respective games at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, celebrating NBA Jersey Day.
Representing the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns, UST’s Nic Cabanero and Forthsky Padrigao donned their jerseys, while teammate Ice Danting sported the colors of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Meanwhile, Ateneo’s Jared Bahay, Chris Koon, and Josh Lazaro wore the jerseys of the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and Milwaukee Bucks, respectively.
De La Salle’s backcourt trio of Lian Ramiro (Atlanta Hawks), EJ Gollena (Seattle SuperSonics), and Ethan Alian (Boston Celtics) also arrived at the venue decked out in iconic kits.
Rounding out the celebration, Adamson’s Mathew Montebon, Cedrick Manzano, and Joshua Yerro rocked the jerseys of the Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, and Charlotte Hornets.
This celebration was part of the NBA’s Jersey Day, which took place the previous Monday.
Throughout the day, fans from around the globe participated by sharing photos of themselves in NBA jerseys from various eras using the hashtags #NBAJerseyDay and #KiaTipOff24.
This year’s festivities lead into NBA Tip-Off 2024, featuring the defending champions Boston Celtics against the New York Knicks at 7:30 a.m. PHT, followed by a clash between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 a.m. PHT. Both games will be part of TNT’s doubleheader on Wednesday, Oct. 23, with the Timberwolves-Lakers game airing live on NBA TV Philippines and both available on NBA League Pass.
