MANILA, Philippines—This week, 2bU gives you 10 good reasons why you should watch the opening weekend of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) on July 11-12, as they usher in the 72nd season of the country’s premier collegiate basketball league.
Opening ceremonies
Much is expected from this year’s host school, Far Eastern University, so they will be going full-force not only in the games but also in the opening ceremonies.
They will be tapping their homegrown talents from the FEU Dance Club, Bamboo Squad, Chorale, Theater Guild, Drum and Bugle Corps and Pep Squad to deliver a rousing opening presentation.
Rookies
Some of the names to watch out for this season are former Xavier School main man Jeric Teng of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers; preseason MVP RR Garcia of FEU; and prized rookie Arvie Bringas of the De La Salle Green Archers, who is arguably the most sought-after player coming out of the high- school ranks this year.
Leaders
A new batch of leaders will emerge as they take the leadership role for their respective teams.
Dylan Ababou of UST, Michael Luy of the National University Bulldogs, and Paul Lee of University of the East are some of the players expected to become go-to-guys this year.
Courtside reporters
Every year, beautiful faces grace the UAAP as courtside reporters representing the member schools. They keep your eyes glued on your TV sets even during timeouts and lulls, and this year will be no exception, of course.
Finals preview?
It may be too early to tell, but with all due respect to the other teams, the Ateneo Blue Eagles and FEU Tamaraws are the early favorites this season.
Despite losing team captain Chris Tiu, the Blue Eagles still has a solid core in veteran guard Jai Reyes; reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nonoy Baclao and MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini.
The Tams will be led by RP Team members JR Cawaling and Mark Barocca.
Expect a slam-bang affair between these two teams.
Halftime
Halftime performances from the pep squads are always a sight to behold. Stunts of reigning champs UP Pep Squad and the synchronized moves of the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe always keep the crowd on their seats.
Basketball hangover
Whether you are a basketball geek reeling from the NBA Finals fever or just a die-hard fan of the game, UAAP basketball will give you a different kind of hangover. Fast-paced, run-and-gun basketball with age-old rivalries to boot.
School spirit
If you are a freshman and you want to “legitimize” your entry to college life, you better include watching the UAAP games live on your “to-do” list. There is a certain kind of high you get from cheering and supporting your alma mater in the middle of a jam-packed arena. Go! Go! Go!
Celebs in the crowd
Celebrities, even politicians and the Who’s Who of society troop to watch the games live, and you just might bump into one of them if you are lucky.
Cheers
Animo! Go fight! Fight! Fight! What better way to harness your cheering prowess than to support your team, live! A word of caution, though: You may very well lose your voice after cheering your heart out.
