UST to defend homecourt vs reigning champ UP in UAAP Season 88 opener

Metro Manila, Philippines - The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers will be the first team to size up the reigning champions University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sept. 21.

The Growling Tigers will be relying on veterans Nic Cabañero, Forthsky Padrigao, and Kyle Paranda as the rising España-based squad is aiming for another Final Four trip.

Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons still have holdovers from their championship run last season as Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea, Gerry Abadiano, Janjan Felcilda, and Reyland Torres return for their title defense.

Sean Alter and Gani Stevens will have a bigger role in UP following the departures of Francis Lopez, Quentin Millora-Brown, and Seven Gagate. Former University of the East standout Rey Remogat will be tasked to fill in the shoes left by Season 87 Finals Most Valuable Player JD Cagulangan.

The first round schedule is yet to be finalized, but most of the basketball games will be held at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion for September as it will coincide with the FIVB Men's Volleyball Championship, which will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The opening ceremonies of the league's 88th season will take place at the UST campus in España, Manila on Sept. 19.