UAAP Basketball Season 85: Complete Schedule, Team Rosters and Championship Predictions

As I sit down to analyze the upcoming UAAP Season 85 basketball tournament, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and anticipation that comes with every new season. Having followed collegiate basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed how these games become more than just athletic competitions—they transform into cultural events that define campus life and alumni pride. This year's schedule features 56 elimination round games spread across 14 playing dates, with the regular season running from September 10 to November 20, followed by the traditional Final Four format. What strikes me most about this season is how perfectly the schedule builds toward those classic rivalries that make UAAP basketball so special.

I remember attending my first Ateneo-La Salle game back in 2015, and the electric atmosphere in the arena taught me something important about Philippine collegiate sports. These matchups transcend ordinary basketball games—they're institutional traditions passed down through generations. When I interviewed a veteran player recently about facing their archrival, his perspective resonated deeply: "It's just another game for me, really. Rivalries are that, but this is more than me. It's La Salle against Ateneo." This statement captures exactly why these games matter so much. The players understand they're temporary custodians of something much larger than themselves—century-old institutional pride that will outlast any individual athlete's career.

Looking at the team rosters this season, I'm particularly impressed by how Ateneo has rebuilt their lineup after losing key veterans. Coach Tab Baldwin has recruited what I consider to be the most promising freshman class in recent memory, with 6'8" center Mason Amos showing tremendous potential during preseason tournaments. Their backcourt depth concerns me slightly though—losing SJ Belangel to graduation leaves them with only two experienced point guards. Meanwhile, La Salle's roster looks more balanced than last season's, with Michael Phillips returning as what I believe could be the league's best rebounder. Their backcourt rotation of Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy provides the kind of speed that could trouble slower opponents. What fascinates me about both teams is how their recruiting strategies reflect their basketball philosophies—Ateneo's methodical development versus La Salle's emphasis on athleticism and transition play.

The University of the Philippines comes into this season as defending champions, and I've got to admit their roster looks stronger than last year's championship squad. With reigning MVP Malick Diouf returning alongside JD Cagulangan and Terrence Fortea, they have what I consider the most experienced core in the league. Having watched them during preseason, their continuity in both personnel and system gives them a significant advantage—they're already executing complex sets that other teams are still installing. The Fighting Maroons have added depth in the frontcourt with 6'7" Nigerian recruit Henry Galinato, who I think could be the surprise of the season if he adapts quickly to UAAP physicality.

When it comes to championship predictions, I'll be honest—this is the most difficult season to forecast in recent memory. The traditional hierarchy has been disrupted, with UP's rise creating what I see as a legitimate "Big Four" alongside Ateneo, La Salle, and FEU. My heart says Ateneo will reclaim the championship behind Baldwin's brilliant coaching, but my head tells me UP has the talent and momentum to repeat. The numbers suggest Ateneo will finish with a 12-2 record in the elimination round, followed closely by UP at 11-3. However, I've learned that UAAP tournaments rarely follow script—the pressure of the playoffs creates heroes when least expected.

What makes this season particularly compelling from my perspective is how coaching strategies have evolved. We're seeing more sophisticated offensive systems and defensive schemes than we did five years ago. Teams are shooting more three-pointers—last season saw an average of 22 attempts per game compared to just 15 in Season 80—and using analytics to inform substitution patterns. Having studied game footage from preseason tournaments, I'm convinced that the team that best manages rest and recovery during the grueling schedule will have a significant advantage. The compressed calendar with only one rest day between most games will test every team's depth.

As I reflect on what makes UAAP basketball so captivating, I keep returning to that player's comment about rivalries being bigger than any individual. This perspective explains why alumni from these schools will pack the Mall of Asia Arena regardless of their teams' records, why social media erupts whenever these rivals meet, and why victories in these games become part of institutional folklore. The players understand they're writing another chapter in stories that began decades before they were born. My prediction is that this season's championship will come down to which team best embraces this collective identity while maintaining individual excellence. Having witnessed how championship teams are built, I believe the mental aspect often proves more decisive than physical talent when the stakes are highest. The team that recognizes it's playing for something beyond wins and losses—for institutional pride and tradition—typically finds that extra gear when the game is on the line.