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'Bubble concept' not viable for UAAP, says executive director

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/tvpatrol/09/01/20190901-uaap.jpg"/><figcaption>Scenes from the UAAP Season 82 opening ceremony. File photo. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- There are many possible scenarios on how the UAAP can be held when it returns for an 83rd season in early 2021.One proposal, however, is unlikely to gain much traction -- that of a &quot;bubble concept&quot; similar to what has been planned for the NBA.The NBA will return at the end of a four-month break brought about by the novel coronavirus pandemic next month. They will resume the season at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, where 22 of the 30 teams will compete. All the players, coaches, and staff will have to stay inside the &quot;bubble&quot; for the duration of the season.&quot;Is it one of the million of plans (for the UAAP)?&quot; executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag said when asked about the possibility of a &quot;bubble&quot; for the collegiate league.&quot;I cannot speak for the Board yet, pero ito, mukhang malabo,&quot; he admitted. &quot;Parang hindi siya sustainable or not viable.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/football/news/2020/06/18/after-100-day-wait-english-soccer-returns-takes-knee-68874">READ: After 100-day wait, English soccer returns and takes a knee</a></li></ul>For one thing, it is unlikely that the UAAP can shoulder the expenses of a &quot;bubble city.&quot; Saguisag noted that in such a scenario, all the student-athletes have to stay in a hotel near the playing facility for months at a time.&quot;I don&#x27;t even know if we have the facility or the hotels around the facility. Nor do we have the expenses,&quot; he explained. &quot;The NBA is a billion-dollar business, the UAAP is an inter-collegiate league.&quot;Moreover, Saguisag believes that a &quot;UAAP bubble&quot; would go against the very essence of the league. &quot;Wala na &#x27;yung pagiging student-athlete, baka hindi na makapag-aral &#x27;yang mga &#x27;yan,&quot; he pointed out. &quot;Again, no one is supposed to go out of that bubble city for long-running tournaments.&quot;&quot;It might not be consistent with the concept of athletics being part of the education program,&quot; he added. &quot;Parang &#x27;yun na ang magiging buhay nila, mahirap naman.&quot;The UAAP is still planning to hold a full calendar of events for Season 83, which is likely to open in the first quarter of 2021. Rather than a &quot;bubble&quot; scenario, however, what may happen is that the competitions will be held concurrently.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/16/20/uaap-eyes-full-calendar-of-events-for-season-83">FULL STORY: UAAP eyes full calendar of events for Season 83</a></li></ul>UAAP president Em Fernandez of Season 82 host Ateneo de Manila University said they may follow the format of multi-sporting events such as the Southeast Asian Games.Ultimately, however, it will be up to next season&#x27;s host to determine the way forward.&quot;All these plans kasi, we have to wait for the next year&#x27;s host or the next host to lead. They will take a lead of this with the help of the seven other universities. It will be a challenging opportunity for everyone,&quot; said Fernandez.De La Salle University will host UAAP Season 83.<div>(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>).</div>

There are many possible scenarios on how the UAAP can be held when it returns for an 83rd season in early 2021.

There are many possible scenarios on how the UAAP can be held when it returns for an 83rd season in early 2021.

'Bubble concept' not viable for UAAP, says executive director

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'Bubble concept' not viable for UAAP, says executive director

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 18, 2020 03:23 PM PHT

Read More:

UAAP

UAAP Season 83

Rebo Saguisag

Em Fernandez

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