MANILA, Philippines — The De La Salle University Green Archers begin their bid for back-to-back UAAP men’s basketball championships on Sunday, September 13, but their title defense immediately faces a familiar and dangerous opponent: the National University Bulldogs.
The defending champions and NU will collide at 2:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, in the centerpiece of the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball opening-day tripleheader. The matchup is a rematch of last season’s Final Four meeting, giving the Bulldogs an early opportunity to challenge the reigning champions.
But while La Salle enters the season carrying the championship tag, this year’s Green Archers are not exactly the same team that captured the crown.
La Salle faces a major test after championship changes
The Green Archers lost several important pieces from last season’s championship squad, most notably veteran forward Mike Phillips and guard Kean Baclaan.
Phillips’ departure is particularly significant because of his defensive presence, rebounding and overall impact on La Salle’s identity. Analysts have consequently pointed to the need for the Green Archers to distribute those responsibilities across the roster rather than rely on a single replacement.
Jacob Cortez is expected to remain one of La Salle’s principal leaders as the Green Archers attempt to maintain their championship-level standards despite the roster turnover.
Mason Amos, Luis Pablo, Earl Abadam and Vhoris Marasigan are also among the players expected to play important roles as La Salle searches for a new formula around its returning core.
That makes Sunday’s matchup more than simply an opening-day game.
It is an early test of whether the defending champions can successfully transition from the team that won the title to the team now expected to defend it.
NU enters the season with its own questions
National University also enters Season 89 after significant changes.
The Bulldogs lost several members of their previous core, including Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, Steve Nash Enriquez and Omar John, putting greater responsibility on returning players such as Reinhard Jumamoy and Tebol Garcia.
That could make the opening-day clash particularly intriguing.
La Salle has the pressure of defending its championship, while NU has an opportunity to immediately establish itself against the reigning champion.
The Bulldogs also know the Green Archers well after facing them in last season’s Final Four, adding another layer to an already highly anticipated matchup.
UAAP changes September schedule for Gilas commitments
This season’s opening is also taking place under an unusual schedule.
The UAAP has reduced the number of September basketball game days to accommodate student-athletes who will represent the Philippines in international competitions, including the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and the FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup in Wuhan, China.
Only five men’s and women’s basketball game days are scheduled from September 13 to 30.
Among those affected are La Salle’s Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo, who are set to join the Philippine men’s 3×3 squad for the Asian Games, along with UST’s Koji Buenaflor.
The league has emphasized that supporting national-team commitments remains part of its mission of developing student-athletes who can represent the country.
A packed opening day
The La Salle-NU showdown is the second game of Sunday’s tripleheader.
The day’s action begins at noon with Far Eastern University against Adamson University, followed by La Salle and NU at 2:30 p.m. The opening day concludes with University of the Philippines against University of Santo Tomas at 6 p.m.
The Season 89 opening ceremony was scheduled for September 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena, setting the stage for another season of intense collegiate basketball competition.
Can La Salle start its title defense with a statement?
The Green Archers enter Sunday’s contest as defending champions, but the expectations surrounding them may be as demanding as ever.
They have the championship pedigree, experienced guards and enough depth to contend—but they must prove that last season’s success can survive the departure of some of their most influential players.
NU, meanwhile, has nothing to lose by attacking the champions from the opening tip.
And that is what makes Sunday’s game so compelling.
Before La Salle can dream about another UAAP championship, it must first survive the Bulldogs.
The first test of the Green Archers’ title defense begins at 2:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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