By JADEN ALBERTO

Intern

The UAAP girls’ basketball tournament will make its comeback this Season 87 following a five-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cut short in 2020, the inaugural edition of the competition saw the University of Santo Tomas Junior Tigresses and Adamson Baby Lady Falcons declared as co-champions after the cancellation of their deciding Game Three Finals showdown.

This year, the girls tilt will not see Adamson’s return and will feature the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Lady Archers, Ateneo Blue Eagles, University of Santo Tomas Junior Tigresses, and the debuting National University Nazareth School Lady Bullpups. 

The competition will begin with the NUNS Lady Bullpups against the Ateneo Blue Eagles at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

UST head coach Arsenio Dysangco showed his excitement over the tournament’s potential of fueling athletes’ growth as they prepare for the bigger stage when they jump as collegiate players.

“I am extremely delighted that after a [five]-year hiatus, our young girls finally have their own tournament to showcase their talents. This tournament is also critical in the development of women’s basketball because starting them early gives them a better chance at reaching their fullest potential as basketball athletes,” said the former assistant now turned head tactician.

Looking forward to her team’s debut, NUNS head coach Camilla Escoto echoed the same sentiments as Disangco and was ecstatic on opportunities the tournament can bring for the development of women’s basketball and its popularity in the country. 

“Very happy and very excited about it kasi I believe, we just need to start somewhere and it will start growing. Ganun ang women's basketball eh. Bigyan mo lang ng platform and they will perform and start becoming more,” said the former Lady Bulldog.