University of Santo Tomas is bracing for logistical challenges as it prepares to host UAAP Season 88, with venue availability emerging as an early concern for the start of the collegiate basketball tournaments.
Due to the scheduling overlap with the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2025, UST is exploring alternative venues for the season’s opening games, which are tentatively set for the third week of September.
The traditional UAAP venues — Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena — will be unavailable during that period as they are committed to hosting international volleyball matches.
The Playtime Filoil Centre, Philsports Arena, Rizal Memorial Coliseum, and Ninoy Aquino Stadium will serve as training venues.
With this, Season 88’s opening ceremony is expected to follow UST tradition and take place at its España campus. Meanwhile, basketball games in the opening week may shift to Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena and the newly-renovated Blue Eagle Gym.
“Tinitingnan namin yung first week of the season kasi we are planning to hold the opening on a weekday,” said Season 88 president Fr. Rodel Cansancio, Director of UST’s Institute of Physical Education and Athletics.
“So yung first week of the basketball tournament, since hindi available yung Araneta at MOA, we are looking at either UST (Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena) and Ateneo (Blue Eagle Gym) for the games during that time.”
Also crunching the first semester calendar is the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, which will be held from December 9 to 20 in Thailand.
The majority of Team Pilipinas in all sports come from the UAAP.
Still, UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag expressed confidence in the league’s adaptability.
“There are ways. We have open lines with the respective NSAs, and suffice it to say na we have done this before — yung compressed schedule — if it comes to that. With the able leadership of the Royal, Pontifical, and Catholic institution that UST is, maitatawid natin ’yon,” Saguisag said.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Earlier, the hosting baton was formally passed from University of the Philippines President Atty. Angelo “Jijil” Jimenez to Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Rector of UST, during the Season 87 closing ceremony.
The event included the Streetdance Competition, the awarding of General Champions, and recognition of the season’s five Athletes of the Year.
Jimenez reflected with pride on how UP fulfilled its promise of a memorable season.
“At the start of this season, Season 87, we have sent a message that we, in the UAAP, are not just mere competitors, but we are a community… Eight schools, one league, all united in service to the nation,” he said.
“We do not end the season without thanking many people… The officials, the coaches, the staff of the UAAP and our partners. Without them, this would not have been a success.”
Season 87 wrapped up on a historic note as National University secured a ‘five-peat’ in men’s volleyball before a division-record crowd of 14,517.
UP’s Streetdance Club and NU-Nazareth School Dance Company were also hailed as champions in the Streetdance Competition.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST’s hosting comeback marks its return since Season 79 in 2016. Fr. Ang, who is on his second term as Rector, emphasized the theme “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action” as a celebration of student-athletes’ resilience and unity through sport.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to the University of the Philippines, our host for Season 87. Your leadership made this particular season not only well-organized, but also meaningful and anchored on values that shape not just athletes, but the entire UAAP community,” Fr. Ang said.
“Now, the University of Santo Tomas humbly steps into this role as the host of UAAP Season 88… Let us fill arenas with chants, uplift athletes with cheers, and bring pride to our schools.”
Jimenez, for his part, expressed confidence in UST’s capacity to elevate the UAAP experience further.
“I am very confident that the University of Santo Tomas will improve on what we have done, and they are going to demonstrate true sports and the values of holistic growth that they are known for since history,” he said.
