By Kristel Satumbaga and Waylon Galvez
The UAAP decided on Tuesday to suspend all events till March 17 in light with the declaration of public health emergency due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The decision was in compliance with President Duterte’s order to suspend classes in all levels in Metro Manila until March 14, but the league decided to extend it till Tuesday “to give everyone concerned enough time to adjust to the current situation.”
“More importantly, the President stated that ‘students (are) to be confined in their homes and will continue to study…’” the statement said.
Affected events are three volleyball playdates, two football matchdays, two softball gamedays, Game 3 of the girls basketball finals and the baseball opening match.
The league will have another announcement on Monday on how it will proceed with the rest of the season.
NCAA, however, is inclined to scrap the remaining events although the Policy Board – composed of owners and presidents of participating schools – is yet to convene.
In all likelihood, the Board will implement what the league’s Management Committee has reached Monday.
Chaired by Peter Cayco of host Arellano University, the ManCom agreed to terminate all events effective March 10.
While awaiting the Policy Board decision, ManCom has decided to suspend the resumption of events on March 16 “until further notice”.
Aside from volleyball, other affected games include the return of high school volleyball girls’, men’s football, lawn tennis and soft tennis, track and field, and the 15-under basketball, and beach volleyball.
