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| Home Of The UAAP: A vision of an arena made for the Philippines' premier collegiate sports league set to open in time for UAAP's 90th season (Image Source: One Sports/Akari Lighting & Technology Corporation) |
History is on the horizon for Philippine sports as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and Akari Lighting and Technology Corporation (Akari) teamed up in building an arena for the country’s premier collegiate league with a projected completion in 2027. A fitting kickoff to the upcoming opening of UAAP Season 87 on September 2024, the partnership was officially formalized through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) held last August 19, 2024 at the UP Diliman in Quezon City. But more than that, the partnership ushered in a new era not only for collegiate sports but for the entire Philippine sports landscape with the UAAP’s very own state-of-the-art facility soon to rise in Pasig City.
“It will go down in the annals of Philippine sports history. A home we can call our own. There is no place like home. The Home of the UAAP is not just for the league itself; it is for the student-athletes who represent the heart and soul of the UAAP. This is their home — a place where they can compete, grow, and thrive," said UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag in a press event last August 20, 2024 joined by UAAP Season 87 chairman and UP president Atty. Angelo Jimenez along with UP Diliman chancellor Atty. Edgardo Carlo Vistan and Akari officials led by CEO Christopher Tiu. A 1.8-hectare real estate in Pasig, the Home of the UAAP will be a 6,000-seater arena including offices and commercial spaces upon its project completion in three years. The league will serve as the main venue of all the indoor events of the 18-sport UAAP calendar, especially the elimination games except for the marquee games of the league's centerpiece basketball and volleyball events that will still be slated at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena. A permanent UAAP office and headquarters is also on deck for the trail-blazing project.
“At Akari, we believe in building legacies that go beyond lighting solutions. This Home of the UAAP project is our way of supporting grassroots sports development, where young student-athletes can grow, excel, and shine on the national stage. I am honored that Akari is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of varsity sports in the Philippines,” said Akari’s Tiu. UAAP Season 85 President Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM of Adamson University, who heads the negotiating panel for the UAAP-Akari partnership, said the grand plan was first discussed with Akari in 2023 after their partnership for league merchandises before finally coming into fruition this year. From there until the MOA signing, the ‘schematic designing’ is expected to be finalized this year followed by the bidding and the construction proper during the Seasons 88 and 89. It is projected to be fully operational in time for Season 90 in 2027. Asya Design, one of the top architectural firms in the country led by chief architect Albert Yu, will lead the historic project that sports an 8-like shape of outer design or infinity in symbolism of the eight member schools and their core values.
For the UAAP and Akari though, the Home of the UAAP will not be exclusive to the league as professional sports leagues, more particularly the PBA and PVL, along with fellow collegiate league NCAA are open to hold games so there are barring schedule conflicts. Putting premium in the holistic development of Philippine sports, the UAAP is also opening its new home to national athletes as their training and development grounds for future international competitions. “We are incredibly thankful to Akari for this generous partnership. After years of dreaming and planning, the UAAP finally has a place to call home. This facility will not only host competitions but will also stand as a testament to the spirit of unity and excellence that the UAAP represents,” said Atty. Jimenez.
