Representatives of the UAAP, Claret School, and PAREF Southridge pose for a photo after the official signing ceremony at the NCPAG Building in UP Diliman, November 28, 2024. UAAP Media

Representatives of the UAAP, Claret School, and PAREF Southridge pose for a photo after the official signing ceremony at the NCPAG Building in UP Diliman, November 28, 2024

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1736953084417UAAP S87 Boys&#x27; Football Guest Team Signing - Southridge-06979.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Representatives of the UAAP, Claret School, and PAREF Southridge pose for a photo after the official signing ceremony at the NCPAG Building in UP Diliman, November 28, 2024. UAAP Media"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Representatives of the UAAP, Claret School, and PAREF Southridge pose for a photo after the official signing ceremony at the NCPAG Building in UP Diliman, November 28, 2024. <em>UAAP Media</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The upcoming UAAP Season 87 High School Boys&#x27; Football Tournament is set to kick off on Saturday, January 18, at the UP Diliman Football Stadium, with two guest teams, Claret School of Quezon City and PAREF Southridge School, joining the competition.</p><p>Their inclusion expands the tournament to a six-team field, creating more opportunities for exciting matchups and a shift to a Final Four format.</p><p>Claret and Southridge will face off against powerhouse squads, including the 12-time defending champions Far Eastern University-Diliman, Season 86 finalist University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, and De La Salle Zobel, as they compete for the crown.</p><p>The opening day will feature UST welcoming PAREF Southridge at 2:00 p.m., followed by a rivalry game between Ateneo and De La Salle-Zobel at 4:00 p.m.</p><p>The nightcap will see Claret taking on the defending champions FEU-Diliman at 7:00 p.m.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="http://READ: UAAP welcomes Claret, Southridge to boys&#x27; football">READ: UAAP welcomes Claret, Southridge to boys&#x27; football</a></div><p>FEU coach Albert Besa expressed his enthusiasm for the expanded field.</p><p>&quot;I think it&#x27;s great that they joined,&quot; said Besa. &quot;The more teams, the better. It will raise the level of football in the long run.&quot;</p><p>He also emphasized the developmental benefits of having more teams involved.</p><p>&quot;The UAAP is one of the most organized tournaments, so it&#x27;ll be a good experience for the guest teams. This will improve their programs as well. The final goal is to raise the standards nationwide anyway. The kids really need more games across the board,&quot; Besa added.</p><p>De La Salle University coach Alvin Ocampo, a three-time UAAP champion with the Green Booters and former national team player, echoed similar sentiments.</p><p>He believes the inclusion of the guest schools provides a significant boost to football development in the National Capital Region.</p><p>&quot;It will open doors for other schools to join,&quot; said Ocampo. &quot;It will also help in the development of football in Metro Manila. Look at the statistics of UAAP football players – how many Metro Manila-based players are in the collegiate division? Less than 20?&quot;</p><p>For UST head coach Marjo Allado, the addition of Claret and Southridge enhances the tournament, benefiting both players and coaches.</p><p>Allado views the expansion as an opportunity for young prospects to gain more exposure and experience.</p><p>&quot;All teams will play more games, and this is beneficial for player development,&quot; said Allado. &quot;The UAAP is once a year lang kaya deserve ng players to compete with more games. For coaches, it&#x27;s also a chance to give more opportunities to substitute players to gain experience in UAAP matches.&quot;</p><p>Allado further emphasized the importance of Claret and Southridge&#x27;s participation in developing future football talent.</p><p>&quot;Both teams are feeder schools for the UAAP, kaya maganda din na at the early stage they already have experience playing in UAAP.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2024/11/28/is-the-uaap-headed-for-expansion-exec-answers-2027">READ: Is the UAAP headed for expansion? Exec answers</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xKoZ2xNSw5E?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The opening day will feature UST welcoming PAREF Southridge at 2:00 p.m., followed by a rivalry game between Ateneo and De La Salle-Zobel at 4:00 p.m.</p>

The opening day will feature UST welcoming PAREF Southridge at 2:00 p.m., followed by a rivalry game between Ateneo and De La Salle-Zobel at 4:00 p.m.

Coaches welcome expanded field in UAAP boys' football | ABS-CBN

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Coaches welcome expanded field in UAAP boys' football

Coaches welcome expanded field in UAAP boys' football

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Published Jan 16, 2025 09:00 AM PHT

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