SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 79 basketball first round

MANILA, Philippines – After weeks of anticipation, the UAAP finally released the schedules for the first round of its basketball tournaments on Wednesday, August 24.

A day after the opening ceremonies take place on the campus of host school UST, the action tips off for men’s basketball on Sunday, September 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum when the UP takes on Adamson at 2:00 pm.

The game will feature the debut of two new head coaches. For the Maroons, Bo Perasol will be the one calling the shots from the bench, while Franz Pumaren makes his return to college coaching with the Falcons.

For the second game at 4:00 pm, consultant Tab Baldwin will have his debut with Ateneo when they take on UST, which will also have a new head coach in Boy Sablan.

The second game date takes place on Wednesday, September 7, at the Mall of Asia Arena. The 2:00 timeslot will be given for the game between NU and UE. The second contest will feature two heated rivals when DLSU faces FEU in the debut of new Green Archers head coach Aldin Ayo.

The first finals rematch between FEU and UST will be held on Saturday, October 1, at 4:00 pm at the Mall of Asia Arena.

A day later on Sunday, October 2, rivals La Salle and Ateneo will have their first round matchup at 4:00 pm, also at the MOA Arena. The earlier game on that day will take place at 12:00 noon, and will feature the first contest between brothers Derrick and Franz Pumaren with UE taking on Adamson.

There are 14 total game dates with 5 of those to be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and 8 going to the MOA Arena. The matches on Sunday, September 25, do not have a venue yet.

The last day of the first round is on Wednesday, October 5.

Check out the schedule:

Here’s the schedule for the women’s tournament:

– Rappler.com