The University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the Philippines Sports Commission have reaffirmed their commitment to support the country’s national sports development agenda, following a meeting between the UAAP Board of Managing Directors and PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio held on Wednesday.
In a courtesy call turned strategic dialogue, both parties explored pathways to deepen collaboration between the collegiate league and the government sports body — starting with the possible inclusion of more Olympic sporting disciplines in the UAAP calendar.
“It’s extremely important. We need to connect the value chain — and for me, that value is defined as the connection from grassroots to high performance,” said Chairman Gregorio.
“The missing links are our universities and colleges. That’s where the sports value chain gets cut off.”
Gregorio highlighted a gap in the athletic development pipeline, explaining that after participating in grassroots programs like Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa, many athletes switch to sports that aren’t offered in college competitions.
This often leads to a disruption in both their competitive careers and academic progression.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Currently, the UAAP features several Olympic sports, including basketball, badminton, athletics, beach volleyball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, judo, baseball, softball, volleyball, football, fencing, tennis, and 3×3 basketball.
Chess and esports, which are also recognized in Olympic-adjacent events such as the Chess Olympiad and Olympic Esports Games, are also part of the league.
According to UAAP Finance Committee Chairman and Adamson University Vice President for Student Affairs, Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM, the PSC expressed that it will support the league’s expansion into more Olympic disciplines.
“That was a courtesy call, but during the meeting, Chairman Pato emphasized that this partnership can be mutually beneficial,” said Fr. Suan.
“Historically, we haven’t been adding new events due to the financial burden on schools. Putting up a new sporting event can cost millions. But with Chairman Pato’s support, the PSC is now willing to help us introduce new Olympic-aligned sports.”
UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rene “Rebo” Saguisag Jr. underscored the league’s responsibility to provide structure and opportunity for athletes beyond the classroom.
“The UAAP’s raison d’être is to support the national sports program — our reason for being. If we can be the bridge between grassroots potential and international excellence, then it becomes a legacy worth investing in,” Saguisag added.
The UAAP is eyeing the inclusion of medal-rich sports such as weightlifting, shooting, and golf — initially as demonstration events — to broaden opportunities for student-athletes and contribute to the country’s medal haul in international competitions.
“We are open to innovation and evolution. If these additional sports serve the greater goal of nation-building through athletics, then they deserve serious consideration,” Saguisag said.
“He suggested events like weightlifting and shooting where we could produce medals in a short amount of time,” Suan continued. “The PSC has committed to help us fund and initiate these additions. This is a promising example of a public-private partnership in sports.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Fr. Suan pointed to Japan’s university-sports structure as a successful model, with over 60% of its Olympic athletes coming from college programs — an approach he hopes can be replicated in the Philippines with the help of leagues like the UAAP.
“University sports in Japan are heavily subsidized, and they serve as a major pipeline for their Olympic athletes,” he said. “Objectively, this kind of setup will strengthen the PSC’s national sports program while also allowing the UAAP to fulfill its mission of producing elite athletes.”
Gregorio expressed gratitude for the UAAP’s openness to collaboration, praising the league’s willingness to adapt and grow in support of nation-building.
“I’m extremely happy. You could see the strong representation from all eight member schools — it’s necessary. I consider them partners. If we truly want to win more medals in international tournaments, we need the support and foundation that our universities and colleges provide — not just in the UAAP, but across the entire nation,” he added.
Looking ahead, Fr. Suan emphasized the importance of a long-term vision for these initiatives.
“There will be more meetings with the PSC as we work to finalize a memorandum of agreement and secure board approval,” he said.
“What we really need is sustainability — a long-term approach that ensures these new events aren’t just seasonal, but permanent fixtures in the UAAP calendar.”
A technical working group will be formed composed of Fr. Suan, two more members from the UAAP BMD, and three representatives from the PSC.
