Home of the UAAP explained

Home of the UAAP
Location:Bridgetowne, Pasig, Philippines
Owner:University Athletic Association of the Philippines
Type:Indoor arena
Capacity:6,000 (projected)
Broke Ground:Q4 2025 (projected)
Opened:2027 (projected)
Architect:Asya Design Partner
Tenants:University Athletic Association of the Philippines

The Home of the UAAP, also referred to as UAAP Arena, is a proposed indoor arena in Bridgetowne, Pasig, Philippines. The arena, which will become a "central hub" for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines events, is projected to have a capacity of 6,000 and is planned to open in 2027, in time for UAAP Season 90.

History

There have been plans to construct a neutral and dedicated venue for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The collegiate league initially considered a structure similar to the University of Santo Tomas' Quadricentennial Pavilion but was scrapped due to it being too expensive to fund independently.[1]

Negotiations for venue began in March 2023 between the UAAP and Akari Lighting & Technology Corp, with Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM of Adamson University, then-president of Season 85, leading the project. The concept was made by Asya Design and was unveiled later that year in May.

The proposed venue was unveiled on August 20, 2024, at the University of the Philippines Diliman and is given the temporary name of the "Home of the UAAP".[2] Construction of the venue is planned to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 and is set to open in time for UAAP Season 90 in 2027.[3]

Architecture and design

Asya Design Partner is responsible for the concept design of the Home of the UAAP, with Albert Yu as its principal architect.[4] The indoor arena covers a total space of 18000sqm and is located at Bridgetowne in Pasig.[5]

The structure of the indoor arena is inspired from an infinity symbol or an eight when turned sideways, which is a reference to the UAAP's eight member schools.[6]

It will have a projected seating capacity of 6,000, which according to UAAP Executive Director Rene Saguisag Jr., is the average attendance for UAAP games.[7] It will accommodate indoor sports but will not have facilities for aquatic sports.[1]

Tenants

As the name suggests, the Home of the UAAP will serve as the primary venue of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) for both the high school and collegiate level,[7] although the league intends to use venues such as the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the SM Mall of Asia Arena for events drawing larger audiences. This includes rivalry games in men's basketball and women's basketball.[8] The UAAP will also allow other leagues to rent the venue.[7]

Notes and References

  1. News: Anzures . Rom . What to expect from ‘The Home of the UAAP’ . 20 August 2024 . ABS-CBN News . 20 August 2024.
  2. Web site: Demigillo . Kiko . 2024-08-20 . Home of the UAAP: League unveils plans for landmark sports arena in Pasig . 2024-08-20 . onesports.ph . en.
  3. Web site: 2024-08-20 . UAAP partners with Akari to build own stadium in Pasig . 2024-08-20 . Spin.ph . en.
  4. News: Li . Matthew . UAAP, Akari forge landmark partnership to build 'Home of the UAAP' in Pasig . 20 August 2024 . Tiebreaker Times . 20 August 2024.
  5. Web site: The UAAP Will Have Its Very Own Arena Soon - The Game . The Game . One Mega Group . 20 August 2024 . 20 August 2024.
  6. News: Agcaoili . Lance . State-of-the-art ‘Home of the UAAP’ set to rise in 2027 . 20 August 2024 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 20 August 2024 . en.
  7. Web site: Masoy . Niel Victor C. . 2024-08-20 . UAAP, Akari to build 'Home of the UAAP' arena . 2024-08-20 . The Manila Times . en.
  8. Web site: Isaga . JR . 2024-08-20 . New ground: UAAP unveils proposed Pasig arena for 2027 and beyond . 2024-08-20 . RAPPLER . en-US.