MANILA – The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has released the complete schedule of the first round of its men's basketball tournament.
As announced on Thursday night, Season 85 host Adamson opens the event with a 2 p.m. clash against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Oct. 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The main game of the Day 1 doubleheader at 4 p.m. is a highly anticipated Final Four rematch between defending champion University of the Philippines (UP) and La Salle.
The following day, National University (NU) opens its campaign against the University of the East (UE) at 2 p.m. followed by a 4 p.m. showdown between Far Eastern University (FEU) and Ateneo.
For the first time after a long while, the UAAP will return to the PhilSports Arena in Pasig with an Oct. 5 quadruple-header.
The daytime part of the four-game bill features the Red Warriors facing the Tamaraws at 11 a.m. and the Soaring Falcons battling the Fighting Maroons at 1 p.m.
In the evening matches, the Green Archers face off against the Growling Tigers at 4:30 p.m., and the Blue Eagles take on the Bulldogs at 6:30 p.m.
The league will also make a comeback at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City with UE battling Adamson at 2 p.m. and UP colliding with FEU at 4 p.m. on Oct. 8.
The first La Salle-Ateneo game will take place the following day also at "The Big Dome" at 4:30 p.m., succeeding the 1 p.m. game between UST and NU.
The UAAP will then have four straight playdates back at the MOA Arena.
Breaking the tradition, however, the finals rematch between the Fighting Maroons and the Blue Eagles will happen on Matchday 5, at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 16 in particular.
The Matchday 7 games will all take place at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
UP battles UST at 2 p.m. and Adamson takes on La Salle at 4 p.m. on Oct. 22.
The last twin-bill of the first round on Oct. 23 features UE versus Ateneo at 2 p.m. and NU against FEU at 4 p.m.
As further announced by the league, the second round of the season will begin on Oct. 26.
If playoff games are needed to break ties in the Final Four positions, they will take place on Nov. 27.
The semifinals will begin on Nov. 30, while the finals will start on Dec. 7.
The season could end by Dec. 14 at the latest.
The cheerdance event is scheduled on Dec. 10. (PNA)
