CEBU CITY, March 18, 2026 — The University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu) is set to participate in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 after its Board approved the entry of the UP High School Cebu (UPHS) Boys’ Football Team as a guest team in the Juniors Division.
The move is a milestone for UP Cebu, which will now represent the UP Fighting Maroons in boys’ football in the UAAP, the country’s premier collegiate sports league. The Juniors Division, featuring high school athletes from the league’s member schools, provides young players a platform to develop and compete at the national level.
UP High School Cebu’s entry comes at a timely moment, allowing UP to expand its presence in UAAP football. While UP Integrated School Diliman currently does not field a team in football, as well as in eight other sports, UP Cebu steps forward to represent the university.
The team has already made waves in its debut season. In September 2025, the young Fighting Maroons captured their first-ever championship in the Under-16 Division of the 4th City of Naga Football Festival, defeating the Azkals Development Academy (ADA) Cebu 2-0 in a thrilling penalty shootout. Remarkably, the team had only begun training together in August, making their swift success all the more impressive. This landmark achievement underscores UP High School Cebu’s rise in grassroots football and reflects the school’s commitment to nurturing both athletic and academic excellence.
As a guest team in UAAP Season 89, the UPHS Cebu Boys’ Football Team is expected to bring energy, discipline, and sportsmanship to the league. Their participation highlights UP Cebu’s dedication to providing student-athletes with opportunities to compete, grow, and refine their skills.
UAAP Season 89 is scheduled to commence in the academic year 2026–2027, around the last quarter of 2026. (Photo by Frances Perseverance Gesta/UP High School Cebu Football Team FB Page)
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