Season 87 of the UAAP will officially open this Saturday, September 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
This time, the University of the Philippines will be the host.
Here are some tidbits about the opening and the Season 87 hosting.
Gusto mo bang sumama?: Iconic OPM band Eraserheads as opening ceremony highlight
Who else would it be, but the iconic band which started right in the University of the Philippines?
Bo Perasol, the former UP Fighting Maroons coach turned UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development (UP OASD) program director, found it easy to connect with the band.
After all, Perasol started out in the same UP dormitory as drummer Raimund Marasigan, guitarist Marcus Adoro, and bassist Buddy Zabala.
That was in Kalayaan, the dormitory for freshmen in Diliman.
Perasol also bonded with lead singer and primary songwriter Ely Buendia--a year older--during their time in Malate.
"Si Raimund, laging nanonood 'yan nung nagkaroon ng resurgence 'yung [UP] program," Perasol told One Sports.
He even approached Perasol and asked to watch when UP reached the finals of UAAP Season 81.
"Talagang mahilig sa basketball," Perasol recounted.
So it was only natural that the OASD director then asked if it was possible for the group to reunite for the UAAP Season 87 opening.
"We were able to talk to them, obviously talagang gusto nila to give back sa alma mater," Perasol said.
"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," he added in a separate statement.
Just recently, the band received the Gawad Oblation Award - the highest distinction that UP bestows on its alumni for significant contributions and extraordinary service.
Concert + Battle of Katipunan = Intense opening Saturday
Did you miss the Eraserheads' Huling El Bimbo reunion concert? Well, this is your chance for a catchup as the tickets UAAP Season 87 opening ceremony--starting at 11 a.m.--will be sold separately from the Battle of Katipunan.
At 6:30 p.m., host UP Fighting Maroons will be battling their neighbors, the Ateneo Blue Eagles, to relive the Season 81, 84, and 85 finals.
Flame on: Inspired by the Olympics
UP also gifted fellow member schools with a torch--lit by LED--meant to be displayed throughout the year and taken off at the end of the season.
This was inspired by the ceremonies with the Olympic Flame, lit at every start of The Games and extinguished at the end.
The torch was designed by Toym Imao, an Architecture and MFA Fine Arts graduate at the University of the Philippines. He was mentored in both sculpture and painting by National Artists Napoleon Abueva and Abdulmari Asia Imao, his father.
This torch features hands holding on together to create the illusion of a flame.
"The idea here is we will have to connect with other member schools. There has to be a symbol of that, we need to be unified, harmonized," Perasol said.
"It symbolizes unity or accepting our togetherness, accepting our responsibility together."
There will also be a Unity Wall featured at the playing venues.
UP invited each school to interpret the season's theme and express it through art.
"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," Perasol said in a statement.
More basketball, more fun
Cignal TV will not just be airing the women's and men's senior and junior basketball games.
For the first time, the U16 matches will also be shown on the streaming platform Pilipinas Live.
That means collegiate games will be shown free-to-air on One Sports, high-definition coverage will be aired via the UAAP Varsity Channel, as well as on demand via Pilipinas Live.
"They are still finding out how to play the game, their footing," UAAP Season 87 commissioner Xavy Nunag said of the U16 players.
Homegrown love
UAAP fans can also express support for their Season 87 correspondents, who are assuredly homegrown--or hail from their respective member schools.
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Adamson University: Ella Regudo
- Ateneo de Manila University: Vicsi Burgos
- De La Salle University: Patrice Dabao
- Far Eastern University: Mae Reyes
- National University: Denise Tubig
- University of the East: Althea Franco
- University of the Philippines: Cheska Ramos
- University of Sto. Tomas: Chersie Zulueta
Esports and the start of something more
Season 87 was also the first time that esports was introduced to the UAAP.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles won in NBA2K, La Salle's Viridis Arcus Esports secured the Valorant title, while the UE Zenith Warriors lorded over everyone in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
"Pleasantly surprised at how big it was," Perasol said. "I'm happy that we were able to do that."
Will there be gymnastics and weightlifting be in the future, given the popularity of Olympic gold medalists Carlos Yulo and Hidilyn Diaz?
[ALSO READ: Veteran sports anchor pushes for inclusion of gymnastics in collegiate leagues in Philippines]
It's certainly on the table, but no plans so far in the UAAP.
Who knows? Maybe things could change if the Home of the UAAP, aimed to hold most if not all of the league events starting Season 90, becomes a reality.
[ALSO READ: Home of the UAAP: League unveils plans for landmark sports arena in Pasig]
For Saturday at least, Perasol wants an opening worth recalling.
"I want them to remember this opening," he said. "I want it to be remembered as something symbolic, unifying all the eight schools, harmonizing all of our betterment of sports."
The UAAP Season 87 opening will be held on Saturday, September 7, aired on One Sports, the UAAP Varsity Channel, and the Pilipinas Live app.