The University Athletic Association of the Philippines is targeting a February 2022 return after two years of stoppage due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But it will not be the same as before.
This as league executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag said on The Game how the UAAP is looking to hold its 84th season – in a bubble.
“We’re really looking at February 2022, most probably looking at bubble scenario,” said Saguisag.
“To manage the expectations of the fans, baka sa TV lang tayo but I guess like sa Olympics, at least natuloy and the world still had a good time.“
However, nothing is set in stone yet as the pandemic in the country continues to rage on, setting record-highs in confirmed cases for the past weeks due to the Delta variant.
But Saguisag is hopeful that the league can push through in February, with still five months to spare.
And condition-permitting, the league looks at a full calendar for all sports.
“I know that the numbers recently are not very encouraging but we still have a lot of time naman and hopefully we achieve some sort of herd immunity,” said Saguisag.
“Hopefully, we have a full season for all events but again, conditions permitting tingnan natin we also have to adjust to different scenarios.”
If not, the league is looking to hold only four events — men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, cheerdance competition, and the opening ceremony.
“In an ideal world, siyempre gusto namin matuloy lahat, we want everything to happen and we’re planning for that,” he said on UAAP Talk. “But kung talagang magiging compressed ang schedule, kung talagang magkakagipitan, we have different scenarios and at the very least, certain events must push through.
“We’re looking at men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, cheerdance, and the opening ceremonies.”
