UAAP to hold high school finals games behind closed door due to virus

Photo from UAAP

MANILA, Philippines—The UAAP said its high school basketball finals games will be played behind closed doors in accordance to the national government’s directive in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The juniors games—both boys and girls—will be both held at Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan where there have been two confirmed cases of the virus.

“Due to the recent developments, particularly in the city of San Juan where Game 2 of the boys and girls finals are scheduled to be held, we will be holding tomorrow’s event ‘closed door,’” said UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag.

The UAAP has coordinated with the Department of Health, the local government unit of San Juan, and the management of Filoilo continue monitoring the situation to assure the safety of the players and those who will come to the venue for work.

Game 2 of the boys’ finals between National University and Far Eastern University is scheduled at 2 pm while the girls’ finals between Adamson University and University of Santo Tomas is at 12 pm.

“The decision was arrived at after due consultation and advice of the different governmental agencies concerned and upon the recommendation of our venue partner,” said Saguisag.

“We will be strictly implementing the ‘no UAAP ID, no entry policy.’ Only the playing teams and essential staff will be allowed entry.”

As for the ongoing volleyball tournaments, Saguisag said things will still be held under normal circumstances.

Saguisag, though, gave a reminder that things can still change if the national government gives an ordinance that will affect all sporting events.

“As we speak, we’re going to continue normally but things are developing not even by the day but by the second so we just have to respond,” said Saguisag. “Sadly, this is unprecedented, we don’t even know how the virus really behaves. We just have to act accordingly.”