UAAP Games, kanselado dahil sa bagong COVID-19

Puwersahang kinansela ang lahat ng sporting events ng UAAP dahil na rin sa lumalaking bilang ng mga apektado ng novel coronavirus na may bago nang pangalan na coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) matapos ang Peb. 14. Ginawa ng liga ang anunsiyo kaha­pon, “to ensure the safety of the entire community of the UAAP.” Ang kapas­yahan ay napagkaisahan ng buong league’s Board of Trustees at Board of Managing Directors noong Martes ng hapon matapos ang press conference para sa second semester events.

Isinagawa ito bilang pagsunod sa advisories ng Department of Health and the Commission on Higher Education sa unang linggo ng buwan. “The University Athletic Association of the Philippines upholds, in the highest regard, the well- being, health and safety of the league’s community — players, coaches, students, their families and fans in general,” ayon sa league’s statement na kapwa nilagdaan nina UAAP president Emmanuel Fernandez at executive director Rene Saguisag, Jr. “In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the UAAP, after thorough deliberation by the Board of Trustees and the Board of Managing Directors, have come to a decision to postpone all sporting events starting Saturday, 15 February.”

Ibig sabihin ang opening ng league’s collegiate volleyball tournament ngayong weekend ay ililipat sa huling bahagi ng linggo. Ang mga postponed na laro ay ang men’s football tournament na magsisimula sana sa Peb. 16, softball tournament (Peb. 17), seniors baseball tournament (Peb. 19), athletics (Peb. 19-23), at judo (huling linggo ng Pebrero).

Ang playoffs para sa high school beach volleyball at basketball tournaments ay iniurong na rin. Ang fencing tournament at 10th matchday ng boys’ football tournament ay itutuloy ngayong linggo. Nanawagan ang liga sa lahat na manatiling ligtas at ipanalangin ang kaligtasan ng bansa laban sa naturang outbreak.