UAAP Season 88 basketball tournaments are the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball tournaments for its 88th season. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) are the season hosts, with the opening ceremony held at the University of Santo Tomas Field on September 19, 2025. The collegiate men's and high school men's tournament started on September 20 while the collegiate women's tournament started on September 24.
Tournament format Starting this season, the high school division tournaments were rebranded into "16U tournament" from last season's junior high school tournament, while the boys' and girls' tournaments were rebranded into "19U boys' tournament" and "19U girls' tournament", respectively.
The UAAP is expected to use the UAAP Final Four format for tournaments with 7 teams or more. There are five tournaments in two divisions: the collegiate division tournaments and the 16-under tournament of the high school division are being held in the first semester of the academic year. Meanwhile, the 19-under boys' and 19-under girls' tournaments will be held in the second semester.
The under-19 girls' tournament, which only has 4 teams, will see the top two teams qualify to the best-of-three finals.
Former Ateneo varsity player Jai Reyes has been named commissioner, with Jong Uichico as consultant, and Dino Lee, Mikko Abello and Ginny Velarde as deputy commissioners.
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) requested the UAAP to allow their players to apply for the PBA season 50 draft while the UAAP season is ongoing. The UAAP rejected the PBA's request, citing the need to consistently apply their eligibility rules across all events, not just men's basketball.
The UAAP rebranded the Mythical Five award (in basketball) as the "Elite Team" across all sports.
Referee compensation This season, the UAAP introduced a tiered system for compensation for its referees. Referees officiating men's tournaments matches get per game, for boys' tournaments matches and for girls' and women's tournaments matches. In the previous season, referees are paid per game regardless of tournament. This caused backlash insisting that pay either should be equal or the female tournaments should have not been reduced. Reyes argued that referees in the men's tournaments have to contend with faster pace of play for men's games, justifying higher compensation.
Women's tournaments participants such as coaches and players said that they were offended by the UAAP's actions By October 22, the UAAP's commissioner's office revised the referees' compensation, basing it on the referees' status, instead of the tournament, with pay not based on the sex of the participants of the game that is being officiated.
Teams Men's basketball is a mandatory event in the UAAP, where all 8 universities are required to field in teams.
The 19-under girls' tournament is a demonstration sport and is not mandatory. +Collegiate divisionUniversityMenWomenUniform manufacturerTeamCoachTeamCoachAdamson University (AdU)Soaring Falcons Nash RacelaLady Falcons Jed ColoniaAntaAteneo de Manila University (ADMU)Blue Eagles Tab BaldwinBlue Eagles LA MumarJordan Brand (Nike)De La Salle University (DLSU)Green Archers Topex RobinsonLady Archers Pocholo VillanuevaNikeFar Eastern University (FEU)Tamaraws Sean ChambersLady Tamaraws Raiza Palmera-DyPuma (Men's)Jersey Haven (Women's) National University (NU)Bulldogs Jeff NapaLady Bulldogs D.A. OlanAdidasUniversity of the East (UE)Red Warriors Chris GavinaLady Warriors Ian ValdezAntaUniversity of the Philippines (UP)Fighting Maroons Goldwin MonteverdeFighting Maroons Paul RamosPuma (Men's)Titan 22 (Women's)University of Santo Tomas (UST)Growling Tigers Pido JarencioTigresses Haydee OngDelta Sportswear (Men's)World Balance (Women's) +High school divisionHigh schools19U Boys/16U19U GirlsTeamBoys' coach16U coachTeamCoachAdamson University (AdU)Baby Falcons Mike Fermin Alex Barerra colspan="2" Ateneo de Manila University High School (ADMU)Blue Eagles Bacon Austria Ford AraoBlue Eagles PJ NavarroDe La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ)Junior Archers Gian Nazario Penny LaureagaJunior Lady Archers Louie FernandezFar Eastern University Diliman (FEU-D)Baby Tamaraws Mike Reyes Muriel Garcia colspan="2" National University Nazareth School (NUNS)Bullpups Kevin De Castro Leo PujanteLady Bullpups Aileen LebornioUniversity of the East (UE)Junior Warriors Karl Santos Matthew Sia colspan="2" University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS)Junior Fighting Maroons King Vergeire colspan="2" University of Santo Tomas Senior High School (UST)Tiger Cubs Manu Iñigo Noli MejosJunior Tigresses Arsenio Dysangco
Coaching changes TeamOutgoing coachManner of departureDateReplaced byDateUE Red Warriors Jack SantiagoMutual consentJanuary 14, 2025 Chris GavinaFebruary 13, 2025UE Lady Warriors Aileen LebornioMutual consentJanuary 14, 2025 Ian ValdezFebruary 13, 2025NU Lady Bulldogs Aris DimaunahanMutual consentJuly 31, 2025 D.A. OlanJuly 31, 2025Adamson Lady Falcons Ryan MonteclaroReplacedJuly 8, 2025 Jed ColoniaAugust 23, 2025UE Junior Warriors (16U) Andrew EstrellaSigned by Letran SquiresJuly 4, 2025 Matthew SiaSeptember 18, 2025
Venues
The University of Santo Tomas Field in Manila hosted the opening ceremonies. The main venues for the basketball tournament are the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Due to Metro Manila hosting the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship, several venues are unavailable during the first week, forcing UST to host games at the on-campus Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The UAAP's return to the newly-renovated Blue Eagle Gym is its first after 20 years for the men's tournament and 6 years for the women's tournament. ArenaLocationTournamentCapacityAraneta ColiseumQuezon City14,429Blue Eagle Gym (BEG)7,500Filoil EcoOil CentreSan Juan6,000Quadricentennial Pavilion (QPav)Manila5,792SM Mall of Asia Arena (MOA)Pasay15,000
Squads Each team has a roster of up to 16 players. Only one "foreign student-athlete", non-Filipinos who are otherwise known as "imports" elsewhere, is allowed to be on the active roster.
Starting next season, the UAAP will allow up to two imports in their pool, with still one allowed on the active roster, while another is available on the reserve list. The change is to provide teams with "roster security". +Men's squadsAdamsonAteneoLa SalleFEUNUUEUPUST Mathew Montebon Divine Adili Earl Abadam Jorick Bautista Steve Nash Enriquez Nicolo Mulingtapang Gerry Abadiano Leonardo Acido John Erolon Jared Bahay Mason Amos Mohamed Konateh Jake Figueroa Reynaldo Malaga III Harold Alarcon Collins Akowe Cedrick Manzano Andrew Bongo Kean Baclaan Janrey Pasaol Jolo Manansala Nurjadden Datumalim LA Andres Lorenzo Bangco Emmanuel Anabo Alden Cainglet Jacob Cortez Jedric Daa PJ Palacielo Drayton Caoile Sean Alter Charles Bucsit Joshua Barcelona Romeo Ebdane III Lebron Daep Miguel Ona Omar John Cole Cruz-Dumont Jacob Bayla Koji Buenaflor Kenjo Canete Dominic Escobar Denzel Dagdag Aeron Bagunu Kenshin Padrones Dylan Despi Mark Belmonte Nicael Cabañero Henjz Demisana Waki Espina Doy Dungo Rojan Montemayor Reinhard Jumamoy Jax Distrito Chicco Briones Bevir Calum AJ Fransman Ian Espinosa Gian Gomez Luke Felipe Tebol Garcia Jhondrew Jimenez Joshua Coronel Gelo Crisostomo Joaqin Jaymalin Lars Fjellavang EJ Gollena Adam Nakai Vince Reyes John Abate Terrence Fortea Isaac Danting John Earl Medina Kyle Gamber Vhoris Marasigan Jayden Jones Munmun dela Cruz Kristopher Lagat Francis Nnoruka Leland Estacio Mudiaga Ojarikre Joshua Lazaro Rhyle Melencio Nick Duque Paul Francisco Wello Lingolingo Miguel Palanca Joachim Laure Louis Allen Perez Jaden Lazo Bright Nwankwo Aicen Macapagal Gelo Santiago Mark Cabero Rey Remogat Carl Manding Austin Ronzone Lebron Nieto Luis Pablo Kirby Mongcopa Jedric Solomon Precious Momowei Gani Stevens Mark Llemit Cade Ronzone Kyle Ong Michael Phillips Liam Salangsang Nat Tulabut Daryll Robles Reyland Torres Forthsky Padrigao Ray Allen Torres Shawn Tuano Guillian Quines CJ Amos Mark Parks Reymark Rosete Ernest Felicilda Kyle Paranada Jireh Tumaneng JC Macalalag Neil Owens Jolo Navarro Mariano Tanedo Miguel Yniguez Jiro Sevilla +Women's squadsAdamsonAteneoLa SalleFEUNUUEUPUST Oluwakemi Adeshina Kacey dela Rosa Paulina Anastacio Maxine dela Torre Cielo Pagdulagan Kezza Buscar Alliyah Castro Rachelle Ambos Charlene Carcallas Sandra Villacruz Stephanie Villapando Lorelie Gavaran Margarett Villanueva Kristine Dalguntas Kaye Pesquera Agatha Bron Crisnalyn Padilla Grace Batongbakal Elizabeth delos Reyes Elaine Patio Daniella Alterado Princess Delig Shanina Tapawan Barby Dajao Elaine Etang Monique Fetalvero Mica Camba Erica Lopez Karl Pingol Kayla Gomez Bjeanx Barba Erika Danganan Angela Alaba Rishelle Olivenza Sofia Catalan Julienne Manguiat Aloha Betanio Mhariko Gullim Ahcrissa Maw Nicole Danganan Jamanah Meniano Erica de Luna Luisa dela Paz Vvette Villanueva Marylene Solis Rachel Lacayanga Louna Ozar Vergen Maglupay Hazel Mazo Kate Cancio Aiesha Dizon Joann Nagma Angela Garcia Heaven Lituania Danielle Santos Erinn McAlary Brianna Bajo Gwen Chan Edel Araza Victoria Pasilang Angelica Surada Roshelle Lumibao Trisha Catequista Isioma Onianwa Novie Ornopia Sophia Cruza Shantei Dizon Shane Salvani Kristine Cayabyab Sybil Onate Camille Nolasco Kent Pastrana Zyryll Cortez Hannah Lopez Devina Go Amyah Espanol Nicole Pring Jean Ramos Rebekkah Pascua Ayesha Pescador Kemberly Limbago Kailah Oani Razzyla Lubrico Allison Casais Sophia Canindo Rizza Salise Marielle Vingno Breana Pineda Nadine Munoz Lauren Lopez Patricia Mendoza Shane Agcambot Samantha Medina Aicel Solomon Shane Cunanan Gin Relliquette Niclen Manlimos Camille Malagar Jimoh Nosifat Shemaiah Abatayo Ellaine Medina Ashley Trinidad Cris Mejasco Bridgette Santos Cheska Apag Sarah Makanjoula Aleigha Salado Rea Fe Ong Gheralyn Ico Moana Vacalarez Rachel Evangelista Chille Serrano Kyla Sunga Ivy Yanez Rhea Solitario Karylle Sierba Princess Villarin Alexandra Mendoza Angelika Soriano
Men's tournament The tournament began on September 20, 2025 with Ateneo defeating FEU in overtime, and ended on December 17, 2025.
Elimination round
The UAAP postponed the November 9 games due to the predicted effects of Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong).The games were rescheduled on November 26.
Team standings
Match-up results
Scores Results on top and to the right of the grey cells are for first-round games; those to the bottom and to the left are second-round games.
Bracket
Semifinals The top two seeds have the twice-to-beat advantage where they have to win just once, while their opponents twice, to progress.
(1) NU vs. (4) La Salle The NU Bulldogs become the first team to clinch a semifinals berth after their victory against Adamson. They then clinched the twice-to-beat advantage with their win against UE. UP's loss to La Salle gave the #1 seed to NU. La Salle's elimination round finale win against Ateneo gave them the #4 seed.
(2) UP vs. (3) UST The UP Fighting Maroons clinched the semifinal berth after winning against Adamson. With UP's loss to La Salle, they settled for the #2 seed. The UST Growling Tigers clinched a Final Four berth after winning against top-seeded NU. UST clinched the #3 seed after La Salle's defeat of Ateneo in the elimination round finale.
Finals The finals is a best-of-three playoff.
The UP Fighting Maroons clinched their fifth consecutive Finals berth after winning against UST. Meanwhile, the De La Salle Green Archers clinched their third consecutive Finals berth. This is the third consecutive time La Salle and UP met in the finals.
Finals Most Valuable Player:
La Salle won against UP to claim the championship. It was the first time since 2014 that a team has won a championship from being the lowest seed in the elimination round, 4th.
Awards