UAAP breaks tradition as UP-Ateneo finals rematch set on Matchday 5

The UP-Ateneo game is gonna be earlier than expected. UAAP Season 84 Media Team (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—The UAAP has set an earlier date for the finals rematch between the University of the Philippines and Ateneo.

According to the complete first round schedule obtained by various media outlets on Thursday night, the showdown between the Fighting Maroons and the Blue Eagles will happen during Matchday 5 of the season—Oct. 16 to be particular at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Usually, the rematch of last season's finals closes out the first round of the eliminations, but this time, the UAAP broke tradition a bit and set the UP-Ateneo showdown the week before the end of the first round on Oct. 23.

The game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. tip-off, after the 1 p.m. game between the University of Santo Tomas and the University of the East.

Tickets for both games are sold separately.

The Fighting Maroons begin their title defense with a clash against the De La Salle Green Archers, a rematch of their epic Final Four showdown last season, on Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. also at the MOA Arena, after the Season 85 opener between the Growling Tigers and hosts Adamson Soaring Falcons at 2 p.m.

The Blue Eagles begin their quest to reclaim the UAAP crown the following night against the FEU Tamaraws at 4 p.m. at the MOA Arena as well, following the 2 p.m. game between the Red Warriors and the NU Bulldogs.

The league will then make a stop at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig for the Matchday 2 quadruple-header on Oct. 5 and will then move to the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City for the Matchday 3 weekend, highlighted by the Oct. 9 clash between La Salle and Ateneo.

The final weekend of the first round will happen at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The second round will quickly begin on Oct. 26, but the UAAP will have a nine-day break from Nov. 7-15 to give way to the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

Blue Eagle Ange Kouame, Fighting Maroon Carl Tamayo, and Green Archer Kevin Quiambao have been inserted to Gilas' pool for the said window where the team will travel to the Middle East to face Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

The Final Four is scheduled to begin on Nov. 30, and the finals will begin on Dec. 7.

The UAAP Cheerdance Competition is scheduled on Dec. 10.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno