UAAP Week 4: Battle of Katipunan headlines Wednesday action, NU looks to bounce back vs Adamson 

 The UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball wars continue Wednesday, October 8, with the Battle of Katipunan once again taking center stage and National University out to bounce back against a gritty Adamson squad.

At the Mall of Asia Arena, league-leading Ateneo de Manila University will clash with neighborhood rival University of the Philippines, while NU looks to return to winning form versus Adamson in the day’s opener.

 Battle of Katipunan: Ateneo vs UP

Few fixtures in Philippine college basketball carry as much weight as Ateneo vs UP. The two schools—separated by just a few kilometers along Katipunan Avenue—have built one of the fiercest rivalries in recent UAAP history, marked by intense Finals duels and emotionally charged encounters.

This season, the stakes are high once more.

Ateneo comes into Wednesday’s showdown as the only unbeaten team at 4–0, following a statement win over La Salle over the weekend. The Blue Eagles, who missed the Final Four last season after a disappointing 4–10 finish, are suddenly looking like contenders again under head coach Tab Baldwin.

One-and-done standout Kymani Ladi has been a revelation, providing athleticism, shooting and energy in the paint, while FSA Divine Adili and  and steady point Jared Bahay have seamlessly blended into Baldwin’s disciplined system. Ateneo’s defense—long a trademark of the program—has been key, holding opponents to the lowest scoring average through four games.

On the other end, the UP Fighting Maroons (2–2) are still searching for consistency after an up-and-down start. They snapped NU’s unbeaten streak last weekend with a hard-fought 66–59 win, thanks to the leadership of Harold Alarcon and Gerry Abadiano, along with crucial defensive stops down the stretch. 

Rey Remogat will need to deliver consistent offense to keep the Fighting Maroons in striking distance against the unbeaten Blue Eagles, while Gani Stevens and resident FSA Francis Nnoruka are expected to anchor UP’s interior presence on both ends of the floor.

Expect a game played at playoff intensity, where execution, adjustments, and composure will decide who walks away with Katipunan bragging rights.

UPDATED SCHEDULE FOR MEN’S BASKETBALL ROUND 1

Catch every game live on One Sports, the UAAP Varsity Channel, and via livestream on Pilipinas Live!

Link: https://t.co/2xlb06kphx

Let the cheers echo and the rivalries reignite—this is college basketball at its finest! … pic.twitter.com/V4hctnRwLB

— The UAAP (@uaap_official) October 1, 2025

 NU vs Adamson: Bulldogs seek quick recovery

Before the rivalry showdown, NU (3–1) faces Adamson (1–3) in a crucial midday matchup that could shape the middle of the standings.

The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season last Saturday—a 66–59 defeat at the hands of UP—that exposed cracks in their late-game execution. Despite the setback, NU remains among the league’s top contenders, led by guards Kean Baclaan and Steve Nash Enriquez, whose chemistry fuels their fast-paced attack.

Head coach Jeff Napa emphasized urgency and discipline ahead of their bounce-back bid. NU’s identity has been built on defensive toughness and rebounding, but they’ll need sharper decision-making against a Falcons side capable of forcing turnovers and capitalizing in transition.

Adamson, under Nash Racela, has shown flashes of competitiveness despite its 1–3 slate. The Soaring Falcons feature a younger, more athletic core this season, with Ced Manzano, Matthew Montebon, and Ray Allen Torres anchoring their fight. For Adamson, pulling off an upset against NU could breathe new life into their Final Four aspirations.

What’s at stake

With the first round nearing its midpoint, every win matters in the race for playoff positioning.

A victory keeps Ateneo unbeaten and firmly atop the standings, for UP, it’s a chance to validate their resurgence and reclaim elite form. 

NU, meanwhile, hopes to avoid consecutive losses that could stall their momentum, and for Adamson, Wednesday offers an opportunity to turn effort into tangible results.

As the UAAP’s intensity rises, October 8 promises not just high-level basketball—but statements of intent from teams determined to define their season trajectories.

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