Reflections on the UAAP

The recently concluded UAAP season that saw the Ateneo Blue Eagles reign supreme for the fifth straight time after beating the UST Tigers has once again brought the varsity league to a higher level of competition and entertainment.

A few thoughts:

One of the interesting things that occurred this year was Manny V. Pangilinan’s sudden withdrawal of financial support for Ateneo.

The vacuum created by MVP’s withdrawal may be easily filled by the Ateneo alumni, but the challenge will be how Ateneo can continue the professionalism that MVP introduced and brings into any sport that he gets involved in.

The level of officiating in the UAAP has to be upgraded. The range of calls and non-calls on fouls was too wide.  The referees should not determine the outcome of a game. This should be left to the players and their coaches.

It will be good if the UAAP Board can seriously look into restructuring the way it runs the league. Establishing a longer term for the league commissioner will provide the continuity he will need to asses the effectivity of the strategies he implemented.

Also, rather than giving the UAAP Board the power to veto a commissioner’s decision, perhaps a committee of outsiders composed of basketball experts could be formed and tasked to review the fairness of the decisions handed down by the commissioner.

And lastly, the Board should look into the entry of non-Filipinos into the league.  If not monitored closely, it could stunt the development of the Filipino Big Man that we need for the national team.

With the amount of enthusiasm the various alumni are pouring into their respective teams, one can be certain that the race for next year’s championship will be much tighter and more intense.

We are all looking forward to next year’s UAAP season. It wouldn’t surprise me if the horizon reflects a color other than blue.

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