Captain Gerry Abadiano will be steering the ship for UP as the Fighting Maroons battle the UST Growling Tigers to open their UAAP Season 88 title defense.
The defending champion UP Fighting Maroons tip off their UAAP Season 88 campaign when they battle season hosts UST Growling Tigers on Sunday, Sept. 21.
Game time is 4:30 p.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
UP enters the new season looking to defend its crown despite the departure of key leaders JD Cagulangan, Quentin Millora-Brown, and Francis Lopez.
The Maroons are set to lean on their “Maroon 5” core of captain Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, and Janjan Felicilda to steer the team’s title defense.
With championship experience and depth, the group is expected to set the tone as UP chases another Final Four and beyond.
Their opening assignment won’t be easy against UST, which has the home crowd behind it.
The Growling Tigers will miss Forthsky Padrigao, who is serving a one-game suspension, but Nic Cabañero is expected to rally the squad.
Holdovers Gelo Crisostomo and Kyle Paranada add stability, while rookies Koji Buenaflor and Collins Akowe provide new energy for a rebuilding Tigers roster.
This matchup also serves as a rematch of last season’s Final Four clash, where UP ousted UST, 78-69.
With the Tigers determined to make a stronger push and the Maroons eager to start their title defense with authority, fans can expect a fiery showdown in España.
(With reports from Luisa Morales)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]