FILE – Eya Laure. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament will be under a closed-circuit environment when it opens on May 5 at Mall of Asia Arena.
After a bubble set-up in the basketball tournament, league Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag said they have decided to ease their health and safety restrictions for the women’s volleyball teams, who will have a home-training-home-venue arrangement.
But he stressed that it still depends on the schools if they wanted to keep their players in a bubble-like set-up.
“Home-training-game venue setup for the athletes, as well as officials, and everyone involved in the restricted area below,” said Saguisag during the women’s volleyball press conference on Sunday at MOA Arena.
“Initially in basketball, we were very strict. But the latest that we have for basketball, we carried over, but subject to qualifications. If new science comes in, we may loosen up, and we are in constant communication with our biosecurity officer, which is very important, and of course, the Commission on Higher Education.”
UAAP Season 84 president Nonong Calanog said the league is still maintaining its restrictions in the playing area, allowing the teams and production crew in the court and patron area.
“Based on our consultation with our biosecurity officer, we are still maintaining the restriction on the playing area, so whatever you see for basketball, we will be carrying over to volleyball, just to make sure that we continue to protect our players who technically are the only ones who will be unmasked while they are playing,” Calanog said.
“Also because of this news that there are new variants that may be on our shores already, one, and secondly, the elections that are coming up. We want to make sure that we are providing an atmosphere that is safe for our student-athletes,” he added.
Saguisag said the league will be ready to adjust its restrictions should a COVID-19 surge happens in the coming weeks.
Defending champions Ateneo Lady Eagles open their title-retention bid against their arch-rivals, La Salle Lady Spikers on Thursday.
Eya Laure and University of Santo Tomas, who reached the Finals in 2019 but settled for silver, begin their campaign against Far Eastern University at 10 a.m.
National University faces Adamson at 12 noon before the 4 p.m. game of Ateneo and La Salle. University of the Philippines and University of the East will cap opening day at 6 p.m.