With the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) imposed on the entire of Luzon extended for another two weeks, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines deemed it fit to officially cancel the conduct of Season 82.
In a statement released Tuesday night, the UAAP, through Season 82 President Emmanuel Fernandez of host school Ateneo de Manila University and Executive Director Atty. Rene Saguisag, said the season was being cancelled as the conditions for the resumption of the activities the league was hoping for can no longer be met.
“As such it is now deemed cancelled,” the UAAP statement read.
When the league decided to scrap the remainder of Season 82 because of the threat of the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and as Metro Manila was placed under community quarantine in mid-March, it still opened the window for the resumption of at least the collegiate competitions albeit with an alternative format.
The UAAP was hoping to work on a new format if the ECQ was lifted by April 14, with competitions beginning no earlier than May 1.
But with the government’s decision to extend the Luzon-wide ECQ beyond 12 a.m. of April 13, its original scheduled end, on Tuesday, it would mean that classes and other school activities would remain suspended, leaving the UAAP with no choice but to cancel the season altogether.
In the statement, the league said it will address the repercussions of the tough decision once everything has normalized in the country.
“All other issues related thereto will be resolved at the proper time as we continue to focus our time, energy, and resources in battling this crisis,” the statement said.
While it laments the decision to cancel, the UAAP extended its gratitude to all stakeholders for their support in Season 82.
“Nevertheless, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you, our fans, partners, student-athletes, coaches, and all other members of the UAAP community.”
Among affected collegiate tournaments were those of volleyball, football, baseball, softball, lawn tennis and 3×3 basketball.
