UAAP crowns 5 Athletes of the Year; cramped Season 88 basketball schedule announced

MANILA, Philippines – For the first time, the UAAP named five Athletes of the Year to close out Season 87, with Ruelle Canino (girls’ chess) and Liam Salangsang (boys’ and 3×3 basketball) of FEU-Diliman honored in the juniors division.

Chelsea Xan Tacay of UST (poomsae), Doy Dungo of La Salle (men’s and 3×3 basketball), and Kacey dela Rosa (women’s and 3×3 basketball) were feted in the collegiate level.

A ceremonial handoff between UP President Angelo Jimenez and UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. was also held, marking the transition of the offseason.

With a theme of “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action,” UST said in a statement that it embodies the “deeper meaning of competition” and to “inspire transformation.”

Season 88’s opening, set to be held at the UST campus in España, Manila, coincides within the Jubilee of Hope, a Catholic holy year declared by the late Pope Francis in his papal bull “Spes non confundit” or “Hope does not disappoint” in Latin.

Due to the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 hosted by the Philippines this September, the UAAP is targeting a third week of September start for its basketball tournaments.

The opening ceremony will be held during a weekday, and opening weekend basketball games targeted to be held either at the Quadricentennial Pavilion or the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo.

Wednesday men’s basketball quadruple-headers are again slated at least through the duration of the first round, much like Seasons 82 and 85.

“We remain committed with the national sports programs. With that said, we’re not going to make drastic moves on the fly but there are ways, and we have open lines with the respective [national sports associations],” explained UAAP executive director lawyer Rebo Saguisag.

“We have done this before, if it comes to that, there are ways around it.” – Rappler.com