UAAP, binago ang basketball schedule para magbigay-daan sa Gilas Pilipinas

MAYNILA – Isasailalim sa adjustment ang schedule ngayong Setyembre ng collegiate men’s at women’s basketball tournaments ng University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) para bigyang-daan ang dalawang international tournament.

Ilang manlalaro kasi rito ang sasabak para sa Gilas Pilipinas sa 20th Asian Games sa Nagoya, Japan na gaganapin mula Setyembre 19 hanggang Oktubre 4, gayundin sa FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup sa Wuhan, China mula Setyembre 15 hanggang 19.

“The support of the UAAP is important to our national team programs, especially with so many of our student-athletes being called up to represent the country,” ani Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Erika Dy sa isang news release nitong Lunes.

“We appreciate the UAAP for working closely with us and for making the necessary adjustments to accommodate our national team commitments. This kind of partnership allows our athletes to compete for both their schools and the Philippines with the support they need,” dagdag niya.

Sinabi naman ni UAAP Season 89 president Mark Molina mula sa host ng palaro na Far Eastern University na naniniwala silang ang misyon ng UAAP ay hindi lamang nakatali sa kompetisyon.

“We are here to develop student-athletes who can represent our schools, but we are equally proud when they get the opportunity to represent the country,” ani Molina. 

“The UAAP will always support all our national teams, and we are willing to adjust our schedules whenever necessary to give our student-athletes to serve the Philippines,” sabi pa niya.

Nakatakdang ganapin ang opening ceremony ng UAAP Season 89 sa Setyembre 12 sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City.

Magsisimula naman ang mga laro sa Setyembre 13 sa Smart Araneta Coliseum sa Quezon City. Maghaharap ang FEU at Adamson University sa tanghali, habang makakalaban naman ng defending champion na De La Salle University ang National University pagsapit ng alas-2:30 ng hapon, at magtutuos  naman ang University of the Philippines at University of Santo Tomas dakong alas-6 ng gabi.

Ang iba pang nakatakdang laro ay gaganapin sa Setyembre 16 sa Mall of Asia Arena, kung saan maghaharap ang Ateneo de Manila University at University of the East ng alas-3 ng hapon, habang sasabak ang De La Salle kontra UST ng alas-5:30 ng hapon.

Sa Setyembre 19 naman sa Araneta Coliseum, maglalaban ang NU at UE ng alas-3 ng hapon, habang maghaharap ang Ateneo at UP sa alas-5:30 ng hapon.

Sa Setyembre 26 sa Pasay Arena, haharap naman ang Ateneo sa Adamson sa tanghali, sasabak ang UE kontra FEU ng alas-2:30 ng hapon, at magtutuos ang UP at NU ng alas-6 ng gabi.

Sa Setyembre 30 naman, sa parehong venue, maghaharap ang Adamson at UST ng alas-3 ng hapon, habang sasabak ang FEU kontra La Salle sa alas-5:30 ng hapon.

“We are very grateful to the UAAP for its understanding and support of our 3x3 program and our national team athletes,” ani SBP 3x3 basketball program director Ryan Gregorio.

“These student-athletes are not only representing their respective schools but also the Philippines, and the UAAP’s willingness to adjust its calendar allows them to prepare and compete for the country without having to choose between their national team duties and their commitments to their schools," dagdag niya.