The UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament is just around the corner, and teams are more than eager to dethrone defending champions University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at the top of the podium.

The basketball tournament will officially begin when the Far Eastern University Tamaraws and the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles face each other on Saturday, September 20, at 2:00 pm, followed by the clash between the Adamson University Soaring Falcons and the De La Salle University Green Archers at 4:00 pm.

On Sunday, September 21, the University of the East Red Warriors and the National University Bulldogs will meet on the court at 2:00 pm, followed by the match between the Fighting Maroons and the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.

All games on the opening weekend will happen at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in the UST campus in Manila, the host school of this season.

Before the action, here is a preview of the teams in the UAAP that contain key losses, key gains, and Rebanse’s fearless forecast.

University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons

Season 87 Recap: Finished second in the eliminations with an 11-3 win-loss record, advanced through Final Four after defeating UST (78-69), and won the championship in three games against La Salle (73-65, 75-76, 66-62).

Key Losses: JD Cagulangan, Quentin Millora-Brown, Francis Lopez, Seven Gagate

Key Gains: Rey Remogat, Miguel Yñiguez

With three players from the championship core having graduated, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons face a tough time defending their championship, as they are now the target of all schools.

Rebanse’s prediction: Silver medalists 🥈

De La Salle University Green Archers

Season 87 Recap: Finished first in the eliminations with a 12-2 win-loss record, advanced through Final Four after defeating Adamson (70-55), and lost the championship in three games against La Salle (65-73, 76-75, 62-66).

Key Losses: Kevin Quiambao, Joshua David, Lian Ramiro

Key Gains: Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, Mason Amos

After losing the championship last season, the De La Salle University Green Archers are more eager to reclaim the crown. Although the team lost firepower in two-time UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, the Green Archers welcomed a new Big Three in Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, and Mason Amos.

Rebanse’s prediction: Championship 🏆

University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers

Season 87 Recap: Finished third in the eliminations with a 7-7 win-loss record, eliminated in the Final Four after losing against UP (69-78).

Key Losses: Mo Tounkara, Christian Manaytay, Migs Pangilinan, Geremy Robinson

Key Gains: Collins Akowe, Koji Buenaflor, Charles Bucsit, Carl Manding

Compared to other teams, the lineup of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers is still intact. Mo Tounkara left the team to turn professional abroad, but he was replaced by an equally good foreign athlete, Collins Akowe. The trio who won the championship in the juniors division for the Tiger Cubs – Koji Buenaflor, Charles Bucsit, and Carl Manding – will make their seniors debut.

Rebanse’s prediction: Bronze medalists 🥉

Adamson University Soaring Falcons

Season 87 Recap: Finished fourth in the eliminations with a 6-8 win-loss record, eliminated in the Final Four after losing against La Salle (55-70).

Key Losses: Mario Barasi, Joshua Yerro, Royce Mantua

Key Gains: Kobe Demisana, Earl Medina, Allen Perez, Jireh Tumaneng, Zahir Sajili, CJ Umali, JR Abayon

The Adamson University Soaring Falcons have successfully retained their high school stars – Earl Medina, Allen Perez, and Jireh Tumaneng – who are now ready to play in the seniors division under head coach Nash Racela.

Rebanse’s prediction: Sixth place 6️⃣

University of the East Red Warriors

Season 87 Recap: Finished fourth in the eliminations with a 6-8 win-loss record

Key Losses: Head Coach Jack Santiago, Jack Cruz-Dumont, Ethan Galang, Gjerard Wilson

Key Gains: Head Coach Chris Gavina

The University of the East Red Warriors underwent a significant overhaul of their basketball program, replacing head coach Jack Santiago with Chris Gavina. With no key recruit and the departure of Jack Cruz-Dumond, Ethan Galang, and Gjerald Wilson, the Red Warriors will struggle to compete against other teams this season.

Rebanse’s prediction: Eighth place 8️⃣

Far Eastern University Tamaraws

Season 87 Recap: Finished fourth in the eliminations with a 6-8 win-loss record

Key Losses: Royce Alforque, Veejay Pre

Key Gains: Liam Salansang, Kirby Mongcopa

Despite losing reigning rookie of the year Veejay Pre, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws gained another player in Kirby Mongcopa, a former finals MVP in the juniors division, where he led the Baby Tamaraws to a championship in Season 85.

Rebanse’s prediction: Seventh place 7️⃣

National University Bulldogs

Season 87 Recap: Finished fourth in the eliminations with a 6-8 win-loss record

Key Losses: n/a

Key Gains: n/a

Although the National University Bulldogs lost the recruitment wars this season, the core of Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez, Reinhard Jumamoy, and Jolo Manansala is still intact, with Jeff Napa at the helm.

Rebanse’s prediction: Fifth place 5️⃣

Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles

Season 87 Recap: Finished last in the eliminations with a 4-10 win-loss record

Key Losses: Chris Koon, Sean Quitevis

Key Gains: Grayson Rogers, Jelo Rota, Alden Cainglet, Lars Fjellvang

After a forgettable season, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles are back with new reinforcements in the lineup. Sacred Heart School of Cebu alumni Jelo Rota, Alden Cainglet, and Lars Fjellvang will join the lineup, alongside Fil-Am guard Grayson Rogers, who is expected to bring cohesion in the system of coach Tab Baldwin.

Rebanse’s prediction: Fourth place 4️⃣