UAAP eligibility to be tackled at ‘proper time’ as Season 83 folds

Fans of the UAAP hoping for more clarity regarding its near future amid the pandemic will have to wait a little bit more.

Following the sudden cancellation of Season 83, UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag clarified that eligibility concerns are not yet the primary focus of the league as it tries to keep athletes safe for the time being.

“At this point, just like last year, we took it one step at a time. As I speak, all eligibility matters for Season 83 will be tackled at the proper time,” he said during the online UAAP-Cignal partnership contract signing on Thursday, December 17.

“Right now, we will definitely sit down and discuss each and every nuance. The Board of Managing Directors have a history of being responsive and dynamic, and now we also have another layer of wisdom, which is the Board of Trustees. I’m confident that we will come up with the right adjustments to discuss the concerns of everyone,” he continued.

As of now, Saguisag is not setting anything in stone for Season 84, either, including its opening date.

“Our target, we haven’t really discussed it, but if there isn’t any discussion, we’ll stay with the default, which is the usual opening, around September 2021, if all goes well,” he said.

“Hopefully, the vaccines are here, we have better protocols, and the situation has improved. That’s the target, traditional opening, unless of course, the board deems it otherwise to adjust again. For now, that’s all I can say,” he continued.

It is worth noting, however, that any opening dates will need to be discussed, and subsequently approved by the Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Health, and the Inter-Agency Task Force before the UAAP can move.

The only thing sure for the league right now, is that it will continue to safeguard its student-athletes from unnecessary health risks amid the continuing virus outbreak.

“All we are thinking of is the health and safety of the players, inasmuch as we canceled the season. We are preparing for next season,” he said. – Rappler.com