The University Athletic Association of the Philippines will call for a ceasefire once the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers rolls around.
The league will stop from November 7 to 15 as three of the league’s top student-athletes are in the pool – namely Ateneo’s Angelo Kouame, UP’s Carl Tamayo, and La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao.
Gilas will face Jordan in Amman on November 10, followed by Saudi Arabia in Damman on the 13th.
“Tigil muna kami ng kaunti even if alanganin siya. I think may lalaruin pa sa second round. So instead na sakto yung break ng first round to second round, we will start a few games ng second round then stop for the window,” said UAAP Executive Director Rebo Saguisag to the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
The 85th season of the league will open on October 1. It will revert back to its original playing days of Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Wednesday, though, will feature a quadruple header.
However, the basketball tournament is likely to finish on December 17 – the sacrifice the league will make for taking a break for the national team.
“All eight teams will play on Wednesdays,” said UAAP president Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Amelie Hotel Manila, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
Besides lending their student-athletes to the national cause, the UAAP is also looking to have more participation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. That includes the possibility of having students from the eight-member schools serving as volunteers.
“Open naman ang communication lines namin with the SBP and the FIBA Local Organizing Committee,” said Saguisag.
“We have an ex-member of the Board si Erika Dy who is in fact going to meet us again to prepare naman for the FIBA World Cup to be hosted here. So hindi lang yung pag-adjust ng schedule, other partnerships whether tapping the studentry to get involved in the World Cup is also in the works. So ito yung mga pinag-uusapan namin.”
