MANILA, Philippines – On Oct. 1, the men’s basketball portion of UAAP Season 85 concludes with a traditional doubleheader at the Mall of Asia Arena pitting reigning champion University of the Philippines against La Salle. 

The UAAP appears to have a full schedule for Season 85. 

After more than two years of the epidemic, the UAAP will finally resume having a complete schedule with the opening game pitting Santo Tomas versus the host Adamson.

On October 2, basketball matches between University of the East and National University and Ateneo and Far Eastern University will take place. 

The UAAP held Season 84 in March of last year with just a few competitions, including men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, women’s 33, chess for both sexes, poomsae, and beach volleyball. 

Along with the other games, the opening ceremony will be pre-recorded and broadcast on Cignal TV.

In line with the “better normal,” as UAAP president Fr. Aldrin Suan of the receiving institution and Atty. Rebo Saguisag, the UAAP will hold 60 events across 21 sports to “Rise as One.” 

“Now that we are back, we are energized,” Fr. Suan stated during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum’s online session on Tuesday. 

Athletics, cheerleading, judo, taekwondo, football, volleyball, fencing, softball, baseball, football, tennis, and street dancing are all on the schedule in addition to basketball, which features 33 and the boys’ side.

But the procedures will remain in place (like weekly testing). Every location would have its own specifications, according to Saguisag, who also noted that basketball arenas like the MOA Arena and Araneta Coliseum will still have some limitations. 

“The patron section will open, but not completely. The space behind the bench will continue to be off-limits. No contact is made with the players inside the perimeter, pa din. The welfare of student athletes is still of utmost importance, he added.

(The patron section will open, but not completely. The space behind the bench will continue to be off-limits. No contact is made with the players inside the perimeter, yet. The welfare of student athletes is still of utmost importance.)