Closed-door games or outright termination? Fans debate UAAP 82 fate amid virus scare
MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 situation in the Philippines has pushed premier collegiate league UAAP to the ropes.
After an initial postponement of second semester events last February, the league has once again put on hold all games, including the volleyball and football tournaments, until March 17 following developments in the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
With rival league NCAA mulling over outright termination of the games altogether, fans have begun debating whether the UAAP should do the same.
Twitter user Camilla Saguin said that the outright termination of the season would be "extremely sad" and "shouldn't be an option".
Dear UAAP, please choose to continue and play all games without any audience. Termination of the games shouldn’t be an option. Athletes work so hard to compete please don’t take that away from them. That’s just extremely sad. ????????????
— Camilla Saguin (@camillasaguin) March 9, 2020
"Dear UAAP, please choose to continue and play all games without any audience. Termination of the games shouldn't be an option. Athletes work so hard to compete please don't take that away from them," she said in a tweet.
Saguin's tweet drew a number of replies from fans that mirror the same sentiment.
I agree. But termination isn't really an option.
— Volley Trends ???? (@VolleyTrends) March 9, 2020
Closed door sir... Please... Rate naman ng channel niyo tataas. Halos lahat ng atibg kababayan tinatangkilik n ang volleyball...
— [email protected] (@jiayaaah000) March 9, 2020
UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag responded to the tweets and assured supporters that he and the UAAP board were considering all factors in the decision.
Appreciate all your thoughts & more importantly, the consrtuctive, positive, fraternal spirit in which they were sent.
— Rebo Saguisag (@rebosaguisag) March 9, 2020
Rest assured that the Board will be considering all factors & what is best for everyone concerned.#UAAPSeason82MensVolleyball#UAAPSeason82WomensVolleyball
Additionaly, Saguisag also revealed that the UAAP had planned on making the games closed to the public until President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the suspension of classes.
That was the plan before Pres. DU30 suspended classes & ordered students to stay home.
— Rebo Saguisag (@rebosaguisag) March 10, 2020
Manila Mayor Isko also prohibited teams from entering their campuses to practice.
Some things are beyond our control.
We ask for your continued support & prayers.
Thanks.
Saguisag said that some of the factors were beyond the league's control.
The UAAP is set to hold another meeting on Monday, March 16, to mull over the postponement of the games.
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