FILE PHOTO — Students from participating schools during the UAAP 81 opening ceremony at the Mall of Asia Arena. INQUIRER PHOTO/ Sherwin Vardeleon
MANILA, Philippines—It’s all systems go for UAAP Season 84 with the collegiate league set to finally open on March 26.
UAAP President Emmanuel Calanog announced on Friday that eight events will be played in the shortened season but he hopes that the association could have a full calendar come Season 85.
Men’s basketball will kick-off the UAAP’s return after the COVID-19 pandemic stopped Season 82 and cancelled Season 83 entirely.
Women’s volleyball, men and women’s 3×3 basketball, men’s beach volleyball, poomsae, and men and women’s chess will be the sports played after the men’s basketball tournament concludes with all tournaments scheduled for a bubble setup.
“We will ask for patience from fans and media partners. At the very least, the first round will have a strict bubble. We want to make sure to lower the variables to keep our athletes safe,” said Calanog.
Season 84 will also feature a new schedule as all eight teams will now play every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday with each date featuring four games.
Previous seasons saw the basketball and volleyball tournaments played every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.
UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag said all the student-athletes who will play in the season are already fully vaccinated but are still living inside their schools’ respective bubbles to prevent any infection.
Student-athletes will also undergo RT-PCR testing every 14 days and an antigen test before games, added Saguisag.