Dragging probe on Sorsogon ‘bubble’ leaves juggernaut program hanging

Among the teams that could be affected by sanctions on UST is its promising women’s volleyball team. —SHERWIN VARDELEON

The investigative body looking into the alleged violations of health protocols by the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and National University (NU) was still without a resolution on Tuesday, leaving a powerhouse sports program hanging in the balance.

The body, composed of the Games and Amusements Board, Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Health and Commission on Higher Education, announced in a joint statement late Tuesday that representatives from UST and NU participated in the meeting to give their report regarding alleged quarantine violations in separate out-of-town locations.

“A copy of the report from UST concerning its basketball team was submitted to the concerned government agencies. UST also reported that UAAP was likewise given a copy.

NU answered queries on the incident regarding its volleyball teams and will likewise provide a report to the UAAP,” the statement read.

As the investigation continued to drag on without a resolution, UST’s heavyweight UAAP program continues to face a crucial question: Will an entire program pay for the sins of its basketball squad?

UST has dominated the UAAP’s general championship race, winning 29 of the last 33 seasons. Its continued reign rests of a resolution by the group on what sanctions would be applied to the school.

The probe team, which is answering to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, will meet again on Thursday “to review these reports and tackle other related cases before taking pertinent actions,” the statement said.

UST is in hot water after it was revealed that the Tigers had a training bubble in coach Aldin Ayo’s hometown of Sorsogon, which was reportedly backed with a P3-million budget.

NU, meanwhile, is being investigated over reports that its women’s volleyball team, which got stranded by quarantine regulations in Calamba, Laguna province, held its own practice sessions.

Training, whether individual or team, in the amateur sports ranks is prohibited across all quarantine restrictions.

UST was represented by lawyers Alfonso Versoza and Elgin Michael Perez, both in-house legal counsel of the university. NU was represented by its athletic director, Otie Camangian,

Also present during the meeting were UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag and president Nonong Calanog of La Salle, which will host the next UAAP season. INQ