Mark dates: UAAP gets going this weekend

Final seconds between the UP Fighting Maroons and the La Salle GReen Archers in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

There’s no question that the first installment of the La Salle-Ateneo rivalry and the rematch of last year’s finalists are some of the most anticipated games in the first round of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

Action in the premier collegiate league tips off this weekend, with students and alumni from participating universities already penciling the high-stakes games after the full schedule of the first round was released on Saturday.

La Salle and Ateneo will meet for the 98th time in their UAAP side of the decades-long rivalry on Oct. 5 at SM Mall of Asia Arena, which also hosts the games for the first time in the upcoming season.

But that will likely pale in comparison to the Oct. 19 matchup of defending champion University of the Philippines and La Salle at Smart Araneta Coliseum to wrap up the first round, especially with the two teams expected to figure prominently as title favorites once more.

The two teams have met in the last two championships, with the Green Archers taking Season 86 in 2023 and the Fighting Maroons exacting revenge to win Season 87 last year.

In the meantime, fans are eager to finally get a taste of the UAAP with Season 88 tipping off this Saturday at the University of Santo Tomas’ Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Far Eastern University and Ateneo meet at 2 p.m. before La Salle faces Adamson at 4:30 p.m. INQ