The UAAP will make adjustments to its basketball schedule to accommodate the Asian Games in Japan and Gilas Pilipinas commitments, as several of its student-athletes are set to compete in international tournaments this month.

When the UAAP opens its 89th season in September, only five game days will be played during the month.

“The support of the UAAP is important to our national team programs, especially with so many of our student-athletes being called up to represent the country,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy.

“We appreciate the UAAP for working closely with us and for making the necessary adjustments to accommodate our national team commitments. This kind of partnership allows our athletes to compete for both their schools and the Philippines with the support they need.”

Far Eastern University’s Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa, along with Adamson University’s Earl Medina, will compete in the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup from September 15 to 19.

De La Salle University’s Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo, together with University of Santo Tomas’ Koji Buenaflor, will represent the Philippines in 3×3 basketball at the Asian Games, scheduled for September 21 to 25.

The collegiate women’s basketball tournament, meanwhile, will begin later as several UAAP student-athletes are expected to represent the country in the Asian Games’ 5-on-5 and 3×3 competitions, as well as the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup.

“We have always believed that the UAAP’s mission goes beyond the competition. We are here to develop student-athletes who can represent our schools, but we are equally proud when they get the opportunity to represent the country,” said UAAP Season 89 President Mark Molina of Far Eastern University.

“The UAAP will always support all our national teams, and we are willing to adjust our schedules whenever necessary to give our student-athletes the opportunity to serve the Philippines.”

La Salle’s title defense vs. NU, UP-UST clash banner UAAP triple-header opener

The UAAP will officially open on September 12, with games beginning on September 13.

La Salle will begin its title defense against the same team it defeated twice in last season’s semifinals, with the Green Archers facing National University in the triple-header that opens the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on September 13 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The opening day will begin with a clash between season host FEU and Adamson University.

After the La Salle-NU matchup, the University of the Philippines and the University of Santo Tomas, who also met in last season’s Final Four, will open their respective campaigns.

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University will officially begin its Season 89 campaign on September 16 against the University of the East.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA News

MANILA, Philippines — In an effort to support its players set to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya and the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup in Wuhan, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) tweaked its Season 89 basketball schedule.

The league will only have five game days from September 13 to 30 so its Gilas players can focus on competing at the Asian Games 3×3 basketball and the 3×3 U23 World Cup.

Without adjustment, the league will have eight game days instead of just five.

“We have always believed that the UAAP’s mission goes beyond the competition. We are here to develop student-athletes who can represent our schools, but we are equally proud when they get the opportunity to represent the country,” said UAAP Season 89 President Mark Molina of Far Eastern University.

“The UAAP will always support all our national teams, and we are willing to adjust our schedules whenever necessary to give our student-athletes the opportunity to serve the Philippines.”

The schedules of FEU, Adamson, UST, and defending champ La Salle had been specifically adjusted as FEU’s Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa, along with Adamson’s Earl Medina, are set to compete in the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup, which runs from September 15 to 19.

Meanwhile, La Salle’s Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo, along with UST’s Koji Buenaflor, will suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games 3×3 basketball, which will be held from September 21 to 25.

FEU and Adamson won’t have games in the 3×3 U23 World Cup week while La Salle and UST won’t also play in the Asian Games 3×3 basketball week.

Pitted against each other in Season 89 opening day on the 13th, FEU and Adamson will only play again on September 26 when they face Ateneo and UE, respectively.

La Salle, which plays NU on the 13th and UST on the 16th, will next compete on the 30th against FEU.

UST, which faces UP on the 13th and La Salle on the 16th, will resume its campaign on the 30th against Adamson.

Meanwhile, the collegiate women’s basketball tournament will also have a late start as the Gilas Pilipinas teams for the Asian Games — both 5-on-5 and 3×3 — and the Under-23 World Cup are expected to be composed largely of UAAP student-athletes.