MANILA, Philippines – For the first time in more than two years, the UAAP is officially opening its doors to fans at the Mall of Asia Arena starting this Tuesday, April 5.

The league is keeping its quadruple-header schedule for now as ticket selling starts on Saturday, April 2. It is also keeping teams and players in their bubble setups, which necessitates closing off the patron and ringside areas to fans.

Only lower box, upper box, and general admission tickets will be offered to the public, and students may avail of discounts for the latter two sections.

Basic health and safety protocols will be enforced in the venue, such as mask-wearing and social distancing. Fans are also not allowed to eat inside the event bowl, but may do so at the concourses outside.

The UST Growling Tigers and the La Salle Green Archers, now fielding ex-Tiger prospect Mark Nonoy, will get first dibs on fan attendance at 10 am.

The UP Fighting Maroons will take on the Adamson Soaring Falcons at 1 pm, while the FEU Tamaraws face off against the UE Red Warriors at 4 pm.

Finally, the Ateneo Blue Eagles will meet the NU Bulldogs in the 7 pm night-capper featuring a clash between brothers Dave and Shaun Ildefonso.

Unfortunately for fans, while ticket selling will start on Saturday, this does not cover the blockbuster rivalry match between Ateneo and La Salle at 7 pm, which will still be held behind closed doors.

However, if the league continues to ease up its restrictions according to the guidelines of concerned government agencies, then fans can still attend their favorite head-to-head matchups by the second round, set to start sometime after the last scheduled game day on April 9.

Per previous press conferences, the league is eyeing different venues aside from the MOA Arena, including the Araneta Coliseum, and the Ynares Center in Pasig.

UAAP president Emmanuel Calanog said the decision of having spectators back in the arena was reached after consultations with the league’s bio security officers, Commission on Higher Education and the LGU of Pasay City.

“Our priority is the health and safety of our student athletes and minimizing the risks of COVID-19. After discussions with our health officers and putting a few additional protocols in place, we are now ready to have fans back in the arena,” he said.

“The UAAP is a competition best experienced with students and alumni supporting their respective schools.” – Rappler.com