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As a longtime UAAP basketball analyst who's been covering this tournament since my college days, I'm genuinely excited about Season 87's potential to be one of the most memorable in recent history. Having watched countless games unfold over the years, I can tell you this season brings a special energy that reminds me of the legendary 2015 championship run. The opening games have already delivered more drama than most reality shows, and I've identified five matchups that you absolutely cannot afford to miss if you want to understand where Philippine collegiate basketball is heading.

Let me start with what I consider the crown jewel of this season's schedule - the Ateneo-La Salle showdown on November 15th. These two institutions don't just play basketball, they wage psychological warfare on the court. I've attended every single one of their matchups since 2018, and the atmosphere is unlike anything else in collegiate sports. Last season's double-overtime thriller where La Salle overcame a 14-point deficit in the final six minutes still gives me chills thinking about it. The Green Archers have strengthened their bench with two impressive rookies from the NCAA, while Ateneo returns their veteran core that shot 38% from three-point range last season. What makes this particular matchup fascinating is how both teams have completely revamped their defensive schemes - Ateneo's full-court press versus La Salle's zone defense could create a chess match worthy of study by professional coaches.

The second game that caught my eye is UP versus UE on November 22nd, primarily because of UE's dramatic improvement this season. Having watched their preseason games, I can confidently say their point guard rotation has evolved from being their weakest link to potentially their greatest strength. They're averaging 12.5 assists per game compared to last season's dismal 6.8, which tells you everything about their transformed offensive philosophy. UP, meanwhile, brings that championship pedigree that makes them dangerous even on off nights. I personally believe their big man rotation is the best in the league, with their center averaging 2.3 blocks per game during the preseason tournaments.

Now, the third game I'm circling on my calendar is the Adamson-FEU matchup on December 6th, and here's where I'll connect to that fascinating reference about TNT's near-collapse in Game 1. Watching Adamson's preseason games reminded me so much of that professional team's experience - they built massive leads only to nearly surrender them due to turnover issues. In their tune-up game against San Beda, Adamson was up by 18 points in the third quarter but committed exactly seven turnovers in the final period alone, nearly costing them the game. This pattern of building comfortable leads then struggling to close reminds me so much of what happened with TNT, where those six critical turnovers in crucial moments almost derailed their victory. FEU, on the other hand, has shown remarkable composure in close games, winning three of their preseason matches by margins of five points or less. This contrast in closing ability makes this matchup particularly intriguing from a strategic perspective.

The fourth must-watch game features NU against UST on December 13th, which promises to be a defensive masterclass. UST's half-court defense has been nothing short of spectacular during the preseason, holding opponents to just 68.3 points per game. Meanwhile, NU brings an offensive system that's both methodical and explosive - they scored 45 points in a single quarter during one of their preparation games, which I witnessed from courtside. Their shooting guard is my personal favorite for MVP dark horse after watching him drop 28 points against a Korean university team last month.

Finally, the second round matchup between La Salle and UP on January 17th could very well determine the top seed heading into the playoffs. Having analyzed both teams' schedules, I believe this late-season clash will have massive implications for the final standings. UP's transition offense versus La Salle's disciplined defensive sets creates what I consider the most compelling stylistic contrast in the entire tournament. I've spoken with several coaches from both squads, and they're already preparing specific countermeasures for this particular game, which tells you how important they consider this matchup.

What makes UAAP Season 87 particularly special in my view is how these games represent different philosophies of basketball competing at the highest level. Having covered this league through multiple eras, I can sense we're witnessing a shift toward more sophisticated offensive systems while maintaining that trademark Filipino intensity on defense. These five games aren't just entertainment - they're masterclasses in basketball development that even casual fans will appreciate. Mark your calendars, because I have a feeling we'll be looking back at these matchups as defining moments in UAAP history.