The UAAP faces a tight schedule as it prepares Season?88 amid the Philippines hosting the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, the rescheduled Asian Women’s U?16 Volleyball Championship in Jordan, and the 33rd SEA Games in Bangkok this December. With multiple leagues set to start in September, organizers are already anticipating adjustments to accommodate athletes called up for national duties.
UAAP Season?88 President Fr. Rodel Cansancio, also UST’s PE and Athletics Director, noted that the first semester—typically spanning September to December—will be the most affected, especially for basketball and football, which usually overlap with these international competitions.
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Adapting Venues and Season Timeline
UAAP’s traditional venues, including Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena, will be booked for volleyball events, prompting the league to explore alternatives such as UST’s Quadricentennial Pavilion and Ateneo’s Blue Eagle Gym.
Season 88 is set to begin its opening ceremonies in the third week of September at UST’s Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena, with preliminary games slated for the same weekend. Fr. Cansancio emphasized the league's preparedness to adjust, ensuring both UAAP commitments and national team obligations are met.
Supporting National Athletes
Several UAAP athletes have already been tapped for national teams, heightening the need for schedule coordination and potential player absences during key games.
“If there’s a call and a request from the NSAs, the BMD and the BOT would agree, and we’re willing to adjust our schedule, especially if there are players coming from the UAAP schools, just like what we’ve done before. If there’s a call and a request, we are more than willing to lend our players for the national team,” Fr. Cansancio emphasized.
Balancing Domestic Leagues and International Duty
The overlap of these three major tournaments presents the UAAP with logistical challenges, including venue availability and compressed match schedules. Fr. Cansancio assured fans that the league will coordinate closely with national associations and is open to compressed formats or rescheduled fixtures.
While the exact game-by-game schedule is still in progress, the league has promised to release a finalized calendar before opening ceremonies. With flexibility and collaboration, UAAP officials hope to deliver a full Season?88 experience while supporting national pride and international competition.
