UAAP debuts junior high school hoops

MANILA, Philippines -- Junior high school basketball players will be on the spotlight as the UAAP starts the inaugural junior high school basketball tournament this weekend.

The tourney will be a demonstration event in UAAP Season 86, and will be an under-16 competition.

Seven schools will be participating – Adamson University, Ateneo High School, De La Salle-Zobel, Far Eastern University-Diliman, National University Nazareth School, University of Santo Tomas and University of the East.

“We recognize the need for nurturing our young talents at the high school level. Introducing a dedicated division for Junior High School student-athletes is a crucial step, ensuring equal exposure that becomes the bedrock for their development in higher competitions,” UAAP Season 86 president Rodrigo Roque said.

“This move not only hones their skills early but also readies them for the road ahead,” he added.

On Sunday, UST will be facing FEU at 9 a.m.

The next game will be between NU-NS and Adamson, while UE will clash with La Salle Zobel in the final game.

All games will be played at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

According to the UAAP, the top four teams will advance to the knockout semis on April 27th, with the championship game set to be a winner-take-all match.

Roque said that this season’s junior high school tournament will be a “testing ground,” as they aim to make it a regular fixture in the season calender.

"In envisioning the future of UAAP, the Junior High School Basketball Tournament serves as a testing ground, a 'test event' that we hope will evolve into a staple for the seasons to come. Our long-term goal transcends basketball, as we aim to broaden this initiative to encompass other high school events in seasons to come,” the season president stressed.