Both University of Santo Tomas and National University presented their respective reports and facts regarding their alleged violations of quarantine rules.
Now, the University of Athletic Association of the Philippines Board of Managing Directors will meet and possibly make an unprecedented decision.
“The UAAP Board of Managing Directors will convene on Thursday (September 3) to review these reports and tackle other related cases before taking pertinent actions,” read league executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag’s statement.
This comes after a three-hour marathon meeting that saw UST legal counsel Atty. Melvin Verzosa and Atty. Elgin Perez present the facts that the school gathered regarding the Growling Tigers’ training camp in Sorsogon, Bicol. Meanwhile, NU athletic director Otie Camangian shared the experience of stranded Lady Bulldogs who moved from NU’s Manila to Laguna campus during the quarantine.
Besides Saguisag and Season 83 president Nonong Calanog, also part of the audience were Games and Amusement Board chairman Baham Mitra; Philippine Sports Commission national training director Marc Velasco; Department of Health representative Rodley Carza; and Commission on Higher Education executive director Prospero De Vera and Atty. Cindy Jaro.
“The league acknowledges the efforts of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and National University (NU) in participating at the meeting requested by PSC, GAB, and DOH concerning compliance with government-issued guidelines and protocols on the conduct of school and athletic activities during the community quarantine,” said Saguisag, as this was the first time UST and NU appeared in three meetings with the JAO group.
“A copy of the report from UST concerning its basketball team was submitted to the concerned government agencies. UST also reported that [the] UAAP was likewise given a copy. NU answered queries on the incident regarding its volleyball teams and will likewise provide a report to the UAAP.”
Though no resolution has arisen, the meeting is seen as the turning point of the two cases.
With pressure mounting from GAB in these extraordinary cases, the league might possibly make an unprecedented decision — of course, with the clearance and mandate of the Board of Trustees.
“The meeting was an important step towards the resolution of these issues that concern student-athletes of UAAP member-schools.”
