The hosting rights of the UAAP Season 87 has officially been handed over to University of Santo Tomas. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The opening weeks of UAAP Season 88 will come with some scheduling and venue challenges, but host school University of Santo Tomas is more than prepared for them.
As tradition goes, the opening ceremonies will be held inside the UST campus in España. But following the festivities, the league will face some limitations with venue availability in the early weeks of the season.
READ: UAAP theme for UST hosting: ‘Strength in Motion, Hope in Action’
Season 88 is scheduled to kick off in the third week of September—around the same time the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship will be held in Manila.
The international tournament will use major arenas such as the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Other usual venues like the San Juan Arena, Philsports Arena, Ninoy Aquino Stadium and Rizal Memorial Coliseum will also be used as training grounds for volleyball teams competing in the global competition.
Despite the overlap, UST IPEA director and Season 88 president Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP, said contingency plans are in place. Basketball games during the first week may be held at UST’s Quadricentennial Pavilion or Ateneo’s newly renovated Blue Eagle Gym.
READ: UAAP: UST wins general championship for eighth straight time
“In the first week of the basketball tournament, since Araneta and MOA won’t be available, we’re looking at either UST or Ateneo for the games during that time,” said Cansancio.
UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag added that the scheduling adjustments reflect the league’s continued support of the country’s national sports initiatives.
“Just to add to what Fr. Rodel said, the expected date to start Season 88 is meant to support the national sports program, and we remain committed to that,” Saguisag said.
Saguisag also said that the UAAP will give way for the the Philippine athletes to train for the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, happening from December 9 to 20.
“Of course, we don’t just move and move on the fly, but there are ways. We have open lines with the respective NSAs, and it’s sufficient to say that we’ve done this before,” he added.
Source link
