| UAAP Season 85 | |
| Tagline: | Rise as One |
| Host: | Adamson University |
| Higherseed: | |
| Higherseed Game1: | 66 |
| Higherseed Game2: | 65 |
| Higherseed Game3: | 75 |
| Higherseed Series: | 2 |
| Lowerseed Game1: | 72 |
| Lowerseed Game2: | 55 |
| Lowerseed Game3: | 68 |
| Lowerseed Series: | 1 |
| Duration: | December 11–19, 2022 |
| Mvp: | Ange Kouame |
| Coach: | Tab Baldwin (4th title) |
| Network: | One Sports, UAAP Varsity Channel |
| Whigherseed: | |
| Whigherseed Game1: | 93 |
| Whigherseed Game2: | 76 |
| Whigherseed Series: | 2 |
| Wlowerseed Game1: | 61 |
| Wlowerseed Game2: | 64 |
| Wlowerseed Series: | 0 |
| Wduration: | December 7–11, 2022 |
| Wmvp: | Kristine Cayabyab |
| Wcoach: | Aries Dimaunahan (1st title) |
| Wnetwork: | One Sports, UAAP Varsity Channel |
| Jhigherseed Game1: | 74 |
| Jhigherseed Game2: | 76 |
| Jhigherseed Series: | 0 |
| Jlowerseed: | |
| Jlowerseed Game1: | 85 |
| Jlowerseed Game2: | 77 |
| Jlowerseed Series: | 2 |
| Jduration: | March 14–17, 2023 |
| Jarena: | Filoil EcoOil Centre |
| Jmvp: | Kirby Mongcopa |
| Jcoach: | Allan Albano (3rd title) |
| Jnetwork: | One Sports, UAAP Varsity Channel |
| Prevlink: | UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament |
| Prev: | 84 |
| Seasonlink: | UAAP Season 85 |
| Year: | 2022–23 |
| Nextlink: | UAAP Season 86 basketball tournaments |
| Next: | 86 |
The UAAP Season 85 basketball tournaments are the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball tournaments for the 2022–23 school year.
The collegiate men's and women's tournaments began on October 1, 2022.[1] [2] The Ateneo Blue Eagles reclaimed the men's title from their Finals opponents UP Fighting Maroons. The NU Lady Bulldogs 108-game winning streak was snapped in the elimination round by the De La Salle Lady Archers, but NU still won in the Finals against La Salle to win their 7th consecutive title.
The high school boys' tournament began on January 15, 2023, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] [4] The FEU Diliman Baby Tamaraws defeated the Adamson Baby Falcons for their ninth title.
The UAAP continued to use the UAAP Final Four format.
In cases where a team won all elimination round games, the UAAP has removed the twice-to-beat advantage for the second-seeded team in the second round of the stepladder semifinals.[5]
Fr. Aldrin Suan, UAAP president, said that the league reverted to its pre-pandemic Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday schedule.[6]
The league also included a "head coaches' challenge" based on the FIBA challenge system. This gives each team one challenge per game to review questionable calls by the officials.[7]
Dickie Bachmann, former Alaska Aces governor in the Philippine Basketball Association, was appointed as the UAAP basketball commissioner for this season. Bachmann's term as basketball commissioner was supposed to last until the league's 86th season[8] but he foregone the position as he was appointed as the new Philippine Sports Commission chairman.[9] [10] Ronnie Magsanoc was initially named commissioner to replace Bachmann.[11] Xaxy Nunag was eventually named Bachmann's permanent replacement.[12]
| University | Men | Women | Uniform manufacturer | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Coach | Team | Coach | |||
| Adamson University (AdU) | Soaring Falcons | Nash Racela | Lady Falcons | Brian Gorospe | Anta | |
| Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) | Blue Eagles | Tab Baldwin | Blue Eagles | LA Mumar | Jordan Brand (Nike) | |
| De La Salle University (DLSU) | Green Archers | Derrick Pumaren | Lady Archers | Pocholo Villanueva | Nike | |
| Far Eastern University (FEU) | Tamaraws | Olsen Racela | Lady Tamaraws | Bert Flores | Puma | |
| National University (NU) | Bulldogs | Jeff Napa | Lady Bulldogs | Aries Dimaunahan | ||
| University of the East (UE) | Red Warriors | Jack Santiago | Lady Warriors | Aileen Lebornio | ||
| University of the Philippines Diliman (UP) | Fighting Maroons | Goldwin Monteverde | Fighting Maroons | Paul Ramos | STATS | |
| University of Santo Tomas (UST) | Bal David | Tigresses | Haydee Ong | Anta | ||
| High school | Boys' team | |
|---|---|---|
| Adamson University (AdU) | Baby Falcons | |
| Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) | Blue Eagles | |
| De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ) | Junior Archers | |
| Far Eastern University Diliman (FEU-D) | Baby Tamaraws | |
| Nazareth School of National University (NSNU) | Bullpups | |
| University of the East (UE) | Junior Warriors | |
| University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) | Junior Fighting Maroons | |
| University of Santo Tomas Senior High School (UST) | Tiger Cubs |
| Team | Outgoing coach | Manner of departure | Date | Replaced by | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateneo Blue Eagles (women) | Katrina Quimpo | End of contract | March 23, 2020[14] | LA Mumar | March 23, 2020 | |
| NU Lady Bulldogs | Patrick Aquino | Signed with Philippines women national team | May 22, 2022[15] | Aries Dimaunahan | May 22, 2022 | |
| UST Growling Tigers | Jinino Manansala | Signed with UST Tiger Cubs | July 5, 2022[16] | Bal David | July 23, 2022[17] |
The UAAP released its schedule on September 28. Opening weekend was at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, with games at PhilSports Arena in Pasig, Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, and at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal.[18]
For Wednesday quadrupleheaders, the women's tournament will play at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in UST's Manila campus; on all other game days, the women's teams will play on the same venue and day as their corresponding men's team.[19]
For the boys' tournament, the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan was scheduled to host all but one gamedays, with the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila hosting one gameday.[20] Eventually, Paco Arena, also in Manila, hosted several elimination round gamedays.[21]
| Arena | Location | Tournament | Capacity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Araneta Coliseum | Quezon City | 14,429 | ||||
| 6 | Filoil EcoOil Centre | San Juan | 6,000 | ||||
| 8 | Paco Arena | Manila | 1,000 | ||||
| 2 | PhilSports Arena | Pasig | 10,000 | ||||
| 1 | Quadricentennial Pavilion | Manila | 5,792 | ||||
| 7 | San Andres Sports Complex | 1,000 | |||||
| 5 | SM Mall of Asia Arena | Pasay | 15,000 | ||||
| 4 | Ynares Center | Antipolo, Rizal | 7,400 | ||||
Each team has a 20-player roster, of which four are reserves. Only one foreigner, an import, or foreign student-athlete (FSA) as called by the UAAP. can be on the active roster.
| Lenda Douanga[22] | |||
| none | |||
| Bright Nwankwo | |||
| Patrick Tchuente | |||
| Omar John | |||
| none[23] | |||
| Malick Diouf | |||
| Adama Faye[24] | |||
Results on top and to the right of the grey cells are for first-round games; those to the bottom and to the left of it are second-round games.
Postponed games:
La Salle and Adamson finished the elimination round tied for fourth. This was a one-game playoff to determine the No. 4 seed.[26]
Ateneo and UP had the twice-to-beat advantage which means they have to win only once, and their opponents twice in the semifinals to advance to the Finals.[27]
The Ateneo Blue Eagles qualified for their eighth consecutive Final Four appearance, and their sixth consecutive tournament with the twice-to-beat advantage – the longest active streak in the Final Four era of UAAP men's basketball.[28] Adamson returns to the Final Four for the first time since 2018.[29]
This was the first meeting between UP and NU in the semifinals in UAAP men's basketball history. UP was in its fourth straight playoffs appearance, and its third consecutive tournament with the twice-to-beat advantage.[30] The NU Bulldogs returned to the semifinals for the first time since 2015 after missing out the past 5 seasons.[31]
The Finals was a best-of-three series.
This was the second consecutive (and third overall) Battle of Katipunan finals. For the first time in the Final Four era of UAAP men's basketball. Ateneo clinched their sixth consecutive finals appearance – the school's longest overall championship appearance streak in UAAP men's basketball.[32] UP clinched their second consecutive finals appearance.[33]
The awards were handed out prior to Game 2 of the Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.[35]
The Collegiate Press Corps awards a "player of the week" on Tuesdays for performances on the preceding week.
| Week 1[36] | Terrence Fortea | |
| Week 2[37] | Luis Villegas | |
| Week 3[38] | John Bryan Sajonia | |
| Week 4[39] | Malick Diouf | |
| Week 5[40] | Kevin Quiambao | |
| Week 6[41] | Jerom Lastimosa | |
| Week 7[42] |
Statistical leaders' averages after the elimination round.[46]
| Player | Team | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malick Diouf | 73.857 | ||
| 2 | Rence Padrigao | 71.571 | ||
| 3 | Ange Kouame | 70.786 | ||
| 4 | Luis Villegas | 69.857 | ||
| 5 | Evan Nelle | 68.091 |
| Category | Player | Team | Total | Opponent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | Nic Cabanero | 33 | |||
| Rebounds | Malick Diouf | 20 | |||
| Michael Phillips | |||||
| Assists | Evan Nelle | 12 | |||
| Steals | Rence Padrigao | 7 | |||
| Evan Nelle | 6 | ||||
| Blocks | Raven Cortez | 6 | |||
| Turnovers | Nic Cabanero | 9 |
| Category | Player | Team | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points per game | Nic Cabanero | 17.62 | ||
| Rebounds per game | Adama Faye | 12.23 | ||
| Assists per game | Evan Nelle | 5.91 | ||
| Steals per game | Mark Nonoy | 2.36 | ||
| Blocks per game | Ange Kouame | 4.43 | ||
| Field goal percentage | Jalen Stevens | 61.22% | ||
| Three point field goal percentage | Terrence Fortea | 41.27% | ||
| Free throw percentage | Evan Nelle | 95.65% | ||
| Turnovers per game | Adama Faye | 3.85 |
| Category | Team | Total | Opponent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 91 | |||
| Rebounds | 63 | |||
| Assists | 29 | |||
| Steals | 19 | |||
| Blocks | 8 | |||
| Field goal percentage | 55.0% | |||
| Three point field goal percentage | 45.0% | |||
| Free throw percentage | 100% | |||
| Turnovers | 29 |
| Points per game | 77.86 | ||
| Rebounds per game | 49.36 | ||
| Assists per game | 20.21 | ||
| Steals per game | 11.14 | ||
| Blocks per game | 4.43 | ||
| Field goal percentage | 40.51% | ||
| Three point field goal percentage | 30.93% | ||
| Free throw percentage | 69.93% | ||
| Turnovers per game | 13.29 |
The NU Lady Bulldogs' 108-game winning streak – the longest by any sporting team in UAAP history – was snapped by the De La Salle Lady Archers on November 24, when the Lady Archers won in overtime, 61–57. NU's last defeat was in the 2013 Finals also against La Salle.[47]
Results on top and to the right of the grey cells are for first-round games; those to the bottom and to the left of it are second-round games.
NU[48] and La Salle[49] have the twice-to-beat advantage, which means they have to win only once, and their opponents twice in the semifinals to advance to the Finals.
The NU Lady Bulldogs have qualified for the Final Four anew.[50] Their second round loss to La Salle meant that the Final Four will be played in the usual format for first time since 2013.[51] The Ateneo Blue Eagles booked the last ticket to the Final Four. This was their first playoff appearance since 2015.[52]
The De La Salle Lady Archers and UST Tigresses have qualified for the Final Four.[53]
The Finals was a best-of-three series. NU qualified for its eighth consecutive Finals.[54] La Salle, meanwhile, enters the Finals for the first time since UAAP Season 79.[55]
The awards were handed out prior to Game 2 of the Finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.[57]
The Collegiate Press Corps awards a "player of the week" on Tuesdays for performances on the preceding week.
| Week 2 | Kacey Dela Rosa | ||
| Week 6 | Bettina Binaohan |
Statistical leaders' averages after the elimination round.
| Player | Team | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eka Soriano | 92.286 | ||
| 2 | Kacey Dela Rosa | 77.0 | ||
| 3 | Jasmin Joson | 74.714 | ||
| 4 | Tacky Tacatac | 73.429 | ||
| 5 | Victoria Adeshina | 72.214 |
| Category | Player | Team | Total | Opponent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | Kacey Dela Rosa | 30 | |||
| Rebounds | Kacey Dela Rosa | 23 | |||
| Assists | Eka Soriano | 11 | |||
| Steals | Rachel Ambos | 8 | |||
| Blocks | Sarah Makanjuola | 7 | |||
| Kacey Dela Rosa | |||||
| Turnovers | Joyce Terrinal | 13 |
| Category | Player | Team | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points per game | Dindy Medina | 20.83 | ||
| Rebounds per game | Kacey Dela Rosa | 14.08 | ||
| Assists per game | Eka Soriano | 7.14 | ||
| Steals per game | Eka Soriano | 3.71 | ||
| Blocks per game | Kacey Dela Rosa | 3.08 | ||
| Field goal percentage | Rocel Dionisio | 60.56% | ||
| Three point field goal percentage | Kaye Pesquera | 36.96% | ||
| Free throw percentage | Camille Clarin | 81.82% | ||
| Turnovers per game | Joyce Terrinal | 6.29 |
| Category | Team | Total | Opponent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 131 | |||
| Rebounds | 72 | |||
| Assists | 39 | |||
| Steals | 28 | |||
| Blocks | 9 | |||
| Field goal percentage | 54.0% | |||
| Three point field goal percentage | 60.0% | |||
| Free throw percentage | 90.0% | |||
| Turnovers | 9 |
| Points per game | 87.36 | ||
| Rebounds per game | 53.46 | ||
| Assists per game | 23.57 | ||
| Steals per game | 15.64 | ||
| Blocks per game | 5.07 | ||
| Field goal percentage | 42.58% | ||
| Three point field goal percentage | 29.27% | ||
| Free throw percentage | 55.40% | ||
| Turnovers per game | 18.29 |
The juniors' tournament will also be a qualifying tournament for the 2023 National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) championship, with the champions qualifying.[58] However, with the UAAP championship series being held in the same week as the NBTC championship, the NBTC decided to give the berths given to the UAAP to its losing semifinalists.[59]
De La Salle University is the sub-host for this tournament.
Results on top and to the right of the grey cells are for first-round games; those to the bottom and to the left of it are second-round games.
Adamson and FEU have the twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals, They only need to win once while their opponents twice in order to qualify in the Finals.
Adamson qualified for the Final Four after winning in its tenth game.[60] UST clinched its semifinal berth by winning in its penultimate game.[61] The Baby Falcons clinched the twice-to-beat advantage by winning its elimination round finale against the Tiger Cubs.[62]
The Baby Tamaraws clinched a Final Four berth when it won its ninth game out of 11.[63]
The finals was a best-of-three series.
Adamson qualified for its first Finals berth in 20 years.[64] FEU Diliman made it to the Finals for the second consecutive tournament (lost to NSNU in 2019).[65]
The awards were handed out prior to Game 2 of the Finals at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
| Pts. | Ranking | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor=gold align=center style="border: 1px solid gray;" | 15 | Champion | |
| bgcolor=silver align=center style="border: 1px solid gray;" | 12 | 2nd | |
| bgcolor=#CC9966 align=center style="border: 1px solid gray;" | 10 | 3rd | |
| align=center style="border: 1px solid gray;" | 8 | 4th | |
| align=center style="border: 1px solid gray;" | 6 | 5th | |
| align=center style="border: 1px solid gray;" | 4 | 6th | |
| align=center style="border: 1px solid gray;" | 2 | 7th | |
| align=center style="border: 1px solid gray;" | 1 | 8th | |
| align=center style="border: 1px solid gray;" | — | Did not join | |
| bgcolor=#FFCCCC align=center style="border: 1px solid gray;" | WD | Withdrew |
| Rank | Team | Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10 | 15 | 25 | ||
| 2nd | 15 | 8 | 23 | ||
| 3rd | 12 | 6 | 18 | ||
| 6 | 12 | 18 | |||
| 5th | 8 | 4 | 12 | ||
| 6th | 1 | 10 | 11 | ||
| 7th | 4 | 1 | 5 | ||
| 8th | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Rank | Team | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 15 | ||
| 2nd | 12 | ||
| 3rd | 10 | ||
| 4th | 8 | ||
| 5th | 6 | ||
| 6th | 4 | ||
| 7th | 2 | ||
| 8th | 1 |
How rankings are determined: