The University Athletic Association of the Philippines is adjusting its September schedule for both the collegiate men’s and women’s basketball tournaments to accommodate Gilas Pilipinas’ campaigns in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, and the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup 2026 in Wuhan, China.
“The support of the UAAP is important to our national team programs, especially with so many of our student-athletes being called up to represent the country,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy.
“We appreciate the UAAP for working closely with us and for making the necessary adjustments to accommodate our national team commitments. This kind of partnership allows our athletes to compete for both their schools and the Philippines with the support they need.”
As such, there will only be five gamedays from September 13 to 30.
“We have always believed that the UAAP’s mission goes beyond the competition. We are here to develop student-athletes who can represent our schools, but we are equally proud when they get the opportunity to represent the country,” said UAAP Season 89 President Mark Molina of Far Eastern University.
“The UAAP will always support all our national teams, and we are willing to adjust our schedules whenever necessary to give our student-athletes the opportunity to serve the Philippines.”
The UAAP Season 89 opening ceremony will be held on September 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with Vice Ganda and Gloc-9 headlining the festivities.
The first gameday will be on September 13, 2026, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, with FEU facing Adamson University at 12:00 PM. Afterwards, defending champion De La Salle University takes on National University at 2:30 PM in a rematch of last season’s Final Four.
University of the Philippines will then square off against University of Santo Tomas at 6:00 PM. Separate tickets will be sold for the UP-UST game.
On September 16 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Ateneo de Manila University and University of the East will make their season debuts at 3:00 PM, followed by De La Salle versus UST at 5:30 PM.
September 19 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum will see National University take on UE at 3:00 PM. Round 1 of the Battle of Katipunan between Ateneo and UP follows at 5:30 PM.
September 26 will feature another triple-header at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with Ateneo facing Adamson at 12:00 PM, UE taking on FEU at 2:30 PM, and then UP squaring off against NU at 6:00 PM. Separate tickets will be sold for the UP-NU game.
To close the month on September 30, Adamson will face UST at 3:00 PM, followed by FEU versus La Salle at 5:30 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The schedules of FEU, Adamson, UST, and La Salle have been adjusted as FEU’s Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa, along with Adamson’s Earl Medina, are set to compete in the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup, which runs from September 15 to 19.
Meanwhile, La Salle’s Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo, along with UST’s Koji Buenaflor, will suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games, which will be held from September 21 to 25.
Gilas 3×3 U23 Men are slotted with Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Sri Lanka in Pool A of the Asian Games.
The collegiate women’s basketball tournament will also have a late start as the Gilas Pilipinas teams for the Asian Games — both 5-on-5 and 3×3 — and the Under-23 World Cup are expected to be composed largely of UAAP student-athletes.
“We are very grateful to the UAAP for its understanding and support of our 3×3 program and our national team athletes,” said SBP 3×3 basketball program director Ryan Gregorio.
“These student-athletes are not only representing their respective schools but also the Philippines, and the UAAP’s willingness to adjust its calendar allows them to prepare and compete for the country without having to choose between their national team duties and their commitments to their schools.”
Schedule is here:
