Saguisag son named UAAP commissioner

A lawyer will be at the helm of this season’s UAAP basketball action.

Rene “Rebo” Saguisag Jr. has been appointed as commissioner of the league’s three basketball divisions starting with the men’s tournament on Sept. 5 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We wanted somebody who is young and dynamic, and at the same time, qualified,” said UAAP secretary treasurer Ronnie Dizer of Season 78 host University of the Philippines.

“Aside from being a basketball player, he’s trained and educated in sports. He also has integrity.”

Saguisag’s deputies include former league commissioner Joe Lipa, current NCAA commissioner Bai Cristobal and Romy Guevarra.

The 42-year-old Saguisag, the son of former senator and lawyer Rene Saguisag, graduated from UP Diliman with a sports management degree before taking up law at Ateneo Law School.

Defending champion National University opens its bid versus La Salle at 12 noon on Sept. 6, right before the 4 p.m. match between last season’s runner-up Far Eastern University and Ateneo at Mall of Asia Arena.

Tickets will be sold separately.

The league kicks off with an opening ceremony at 12 noon on Sept. 5, followed by a double-header between UP and University of the East at 2 p.m. and the University of Santo Tomas-Adamson duel at 4 p.m.

Other big games such as the blockbuster showdown between rivals Ateneo and La Salle is set on Oct. 4 at MOA Arena, while the Finals rematch between NU and FEU is slated Oct. 7 at Araneta Coliseum.

The cheerdance competition, also one of the league’s biggest draws, is on Oct. 3 at MOA Arena.