//What To Wear
photo 2022 10 03 15.44.03

Tunnel Vision: Our 5 favorite looks from UAAP 85’s opening weekend

October 1, Saturday marked the first day of UAAP Season 85. And as per usual, the season kicked off with the highly anticipated Men’s Basketball Tournament.

And while we were excited to watch the games, of course, our excitement started as soon as the players walked into the Mall of Asia Arena last weekend in their game-day outfits.

So here are our five favorite looks from the UAAP Season 85 opening weekend.

5. Simple & Sensible

UP Fighting Maroon CJ Cansino showed up for their game against DLSU looking ready for battle—but in the most effortless way possible.

UP Fighting Maroon CJ Cansino

On paper, there is nothing that stands out about Cansino’s outfit. Most people can put on a plain white tee, a pair of jeans, and a crossbody bag and call it a day. But, how the Fighting Maroon carries the simple ensemble elevates the whole thing.

Sometimes, simple is really all you need. And, as a reigning champion, it’s not difficult to see why he was able to walk into his first UAAP game with no sweat.

4. Easy Work

UST Growling Tiger Kylle Magdangal turned heads in the tunnel with his statement pieces last Saturday.

UAAP player Kylle Magdangal

With the Chicago Bulls graphic tee, the paisley printed shorts, and the ‘Varsity Green’ Nike Dunks—the wrong color for his school, but we’ll let it slide—Magdangal’s statement pieces all do the work for him.

In effect, he was able to walk into the Mall of Asia Arena, earphones in, zoning in for the game.

3. Calm & Collected

UP Fighting Maroon Zavier Lucero walked into his first UAAP Season 85 game with a calmer vibe than most basketball players. Maybe it was the fit.

UP Fighting Maroon Zavier Lucero

The matching lavender backpack and bottoms radiate a calm and collected mood. Add in the Frida Khalo graphic tee, and you’ve tied the whole look together, taking it a step above.

But, with the bold accents of bright red that he shows off in his hands, we shouldn’t be fooled. Perhaps it was a foreshadowing of UP’s comeback win against DLSU last Saturday.

2. WYD Today?

If we weren’t outside the Mall of Asia Arena, we wouldn’t have guessed Paul Aaron Matthew Garcia was a UAAP player for the ADMU Blue Eagles.

UAAP player Paul Aaron Matthew Garcia

With his plaid layering over the graphic tee, plus the ripped jeans and the yellow Air Jordans, if we didn’t know any better, we’d think he was on his way to catch a flight to a big city, not a big UAAP game.

After all, the green and yellow accents in his outfit throw us off his Blue Eagle scent. And we loved the unpredictability.

1. He Means Business

If you know Ben Phillips well, you must have guessed that he was going to be a strong contender for our favorite outfit of the weekend. Known for his serious style, his entrance to his first UAAP game did not disappoint.

UAAP player Ben Phillips

The Green Archer did not skimp with his game-day fit this weekend. The three-piece suit stands out on its own, but of course, Phillips has to go one step above. The messenger hat, watch, and bracelet elevates his look even further.

Not to mention the kicks that give ‘athleisure’ a whole new meaning. And of course, he had to choose green for his tie.

We may know the winners from the first four games from the opening weekend of UAAP Season 85. But who was your winner for best outfit?