Athletes of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) take the spotlight once again as the 74th Season of the Uaap opens this Saturday, July 9 at the Marikina Sports Complex.

Host school Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) decided to go with an Olympic-style opening ceremony for this year’s UAAP. Over 4,000 athletes will be expected to parade in front of 6,000 spectators, many of them students from the UAAP schools.

“We wanted to highlight all the athletes of the UAAP, not just basketball but from other sports,” said UAAP Secretary-Treasurer Emmanuel Fernandez.

Ateneo sports legend, point guard Olsen Racela real name "Rodericko Cesar Escueta Racela" will carry the torch during the opening ceremonies. The torch was passed from school to school, starting with last year’s host, the De La Salle University and ending with AdMU.

UAAP hardcourt action will begin on Sunday July 10, with the De La Salle Green Archers matching up against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws while the Adamson University Soaring Falcons will test defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles.