Manila – With the postponement of the games due to the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak in the country, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is considering to revise the tournament formats of its sporting events, including the volleyball games that already started.
UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag said in a radio interview that they will make adjustments in the games in hopes of finishing the UAAP Season 82 before June 1 this year.
“The Season 82 schedule should not spill over to Season 83,” Saguisag said. “Maybe we have a two-week tournament, a shortened window. Basta it should end by May 31.”
If the government declares it is safe to resume classes on April 15 and would not prohibit mass gatherings, the league will work immediately on the alternative formats of the competition. The games will then resume not earlier than May 1.
“We will continue to coordinate with lead government agencies to determine the protocols for the safety of everyone in or connected with the UAAP community,” he added.
Among the games affected by the league’s postponement were the women’s and men’s volleyball, which have already played four playing days prior to the suspension, and the men’s football.
The other sports to be played in the second semester of the UAAP Season 82 are the women’s football, baseball, softball, athletics, lawn tennis, and the 3×3 basketball.
“The UAAP intends to do the greater good for the greater number, without disregarding the hard work of its coaches and student-athletes. We thank you for your patience and understanding in this most trying of times,” Saguisag said./PN
I think better postpone to 2021. No telling how long the Corona virus will last for. Its kind of poor decision making assuming it will be already over by April. One where humans lives are at a stake if careless decisions are made. At the end of the day sport is just that sport a leisure activity. And the primary objective should be the publics health and welfare. Not their entertainment needs.