UP’s JD Cagulangan eludes the defense of Ateneo’s Jared Bahay during a preseason game.–FILOIL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Host school University of the Philippines battles Ateneo when the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament tips off on September 7.
Serving as a curtain raiser for the showdown between two rivals, legendary OPM rock band the Eraserheads will headline the opening ceremony.
Season 87 may only feature one men’s basketball game set at 6 p.m. but the fans are in for a concert treat with the Eraserheads, composed of Ely Buendia, Marcus Adoro, Raymund Marasigan, and Buddy Zabala performing to highlight the opening ceremonies with a theme of “Stronger. Better. Together.”
“We’re happy that the Eraserheads are going to share their magic with the UAAP as we start Season 87. Saktong-sakto yung mangyayaring ito sa theme natin for this season,” said UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol. “They reached the top, disbanded, reunited, and now, full circle na sila sa homecoming nila sa UP and sa UAAP. They are true music icons and legends and our national pride.”
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The country’s most iconic rock band, which received the Gawad Oblation Award — the highest distinction that UP bestows on its alumni for their significant contributions and extraordinary service, will have separate tickets from the season-opening game between UP and Ateneo.
UP, which made it to the finals for the past three seasons but settled for runner-up in the last two years, is parading an intact squad bannered by Season 86 Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez, Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, and JD Cagulangan, who will lead newcomers Jacob Bayla and transferee Gani Stevens.
The Fighting Maroons had their best elimination round finish last year with a 12-2 and dethroned the Blue Eagles in the Final Four. They won the finals series opener against the La Salle Green Archers but reigning Season and Finals MVP Kevin Quiambao willed his team back to capture the Season 86 title in a do-or-die finals Game 3.
Ateneo will be banking on top prospect Jared Bahay, who first committed to UP but had a change of heart and took his act to the Blue Eagles and coach Tab Baldwin.
READ: Jared Bahay joins Ateneo after decommitting from UP
The Sacred Heart School Ateneo de Cebu product will be ushering in a new era with Kristian Porter after the departure of Mason Amos, who transferred to La Salle after one season with Ateneo, as well as one-and-done Joseph Obasa, PBA rookies Kai Ballungay and Jared Brown.
The second day of Season 87 will feature three matches with La Salle opening its title bid against National University. Sean Chambers makes his coaching debut for Far Eastern University against Adamson, which is handled by the Tamaraws’ former mentor Nash Racela, while transferee Forthsky Padrigao debuts for the Pido Jarencio-coached University of Santo Tomas against the University of the East.
The Green Archers will continue to turn to Quiambao, who was the top player of Season 86, as well as Michael Phillips, Joshua David, and CJ Austria as coach Topex Robinson will no longer have Evan Nelle, Mark Nonoy, Francis Escandor, and Ben Phillips, who all turned pro.
The Bulldogs will be leaning on Jake Figueroa and the new guard duo of Steve Nash Enriquez and sophomore Reinhard Jumamoy after Kean Baclaan transferred to La Salle.
Host school UP will be visiting the seven universities’ pep rallies to gift them with a symbolic, LED-lit torch that is meant to be displayed throughout the year and will be taken off its perch at the end of the season, reminiscent of the extinguishing of the Olympic Flame at the end of The Games.
“Hindi ito yung traditional torch relay sa simula ng taon. Instead, we’re passing on a torch to each of our member schools in the spirit of friendship and kinship, reminding us of the harmony and cooperation that exists within the league,” said Perasol as UP has also invited each school to interpret the season theme and express it through art on a large canvas to be called ‘The Unity Wall,’ which is expected to be exhibited in playing venues throughout the year.
“The artworks, although they’re different, they will form a collective whole and deliver the same message. Parang ang UAAP lang. We’re stronger, better, together not because we’re all the same, but actually, dahil tayo’y may mga pagkakaiba-iba,” he added.
UE will have its pep rally on Wednesday, followed by Ateneo and FEU on Friday, National U and UP on Sep. 3, La Salle and UST on Sep. 4, and Adamson on Sep. 5.