NBA legend Dwyane Wade made a special appearance at the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, joining the broadcast panel and watching the Far Eastern University Tamaraws face the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The three-time NBA champion and 13-time All-Star sat courtside during the Round 1 matchup, alongside FEU athletic director Mark Molina, UAAP Commissioner Jai Reyes and Deputy Commissioner Mikko Abello.

Wade also joined the UAAP broadcast as a guest commentator and participated in a halftime interview, bringing his perspective from his 16-year NBA career to Philippine collegiate basketball.

“There’s so many life lessons in the game [basketball], and I think that’s why I have connected with the fanbase in the Philippines,” Wade said. “I love it, I’ve been having an incredible time out here.”

Known as “The Flash,” Wade won three NBA championships with the Miami Heat and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.

His UAAP appearance was part of his Manila visit on Oct. 13-14 for his “TADHANA: Make Your Own Way” tour, giving Filipino basketball fans an opportunity to see the former NBA superstar beyond his usual role on the professional basketball stage.