THREE-TIME defending champion Ateneo and the beefed-up University of the Philippines headline the explosive quadruple-header offering of the 84th UAAP Season when it plunges back to action on March 26 after a two-year hiatus.
The Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons clash at 4 p.m., setting the stage for a unique chapter in their fabled “Battle of Katipunan” rivalry amid the pandemic.
Both teams along with the rest of the eight-strong UAAP cast will have no roaring fans and cheerdance squads behind for now under a full-bubble setting at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Another storied rivalry is slated in the curtain-raiser at 10 a.m. featuring Far Eastern University and Santo Tomas followed by a collision between rebuilding Adamson U and National U (NU) at 1 p.m.
Capping off the four-game opening marathon is host De La Salle University, which will parade returning mentor Derrick Pumaren against his former squad University of the East at 7 p.m.
But the spotlight will be on the Tab Baldwin-mentored Ateneo with a goal of extending its University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) dynasty against the revamped UP squad under former NU high school coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Ange Kouame and ace SJ Belangel banner the Blue Eagles’ bid following the departure of their championship core led by Thirdy Ravena, Isaac Go, Matt Nieto, Mike Nieto and Will Navarro.
UP also lost its core in Kobe Paras, Bright Akhuetie, Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño but will have young stars Gerry Abadiano, Carl Tamayo and Terrence Fortea, who led NU’s high school reign under Mr. Monteverde.
Joining the troika, which also anchored Gilas youth with Kai Sotto, are other UP acquisitions in CJ Cansino, Joel Cagulangan and Malick Diouf with Ricci Rivero as the key holdover. — John Bryan Ulanday