The University Athletic Association of the Philippines is fully committed to helping the national team cause.
Loaning student-athletes to carry the country’s colors in international competitions won’t be a problem if sports federations have clear coordination with the league when requesting their services, UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag said.
“We have no problems loaning our student-athletes but it should be a give-and-take relationship,” he added.
Saguisag noted that national sports associations should give an early heads-up so the league can make the necessary adjustments in their sports calendar including reservations of competition venues.
“Inform us of their (competition) schedules way ahead so that the UAAP can also adjust (with our schedule),” he said.
“We just want clear coordination.”
The UAAP has been generous in throwing support for the national team.
In fact, the league which will open Season 85 on 1 October, is taking a break from 7 to 15 November to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier.
“It’s just a small sacrifice, that’s fine. We’ll go on break,” Saguisag said.
League standouts Carl Tamayo of the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University’s Kevin Quiambao are expected to suit up for the Chot Reyes-mentored Gilas.
While the league has been very accommodating in granting requests of NSAs, Saguisag pointed out that certain issues should also be addressed.
“We have to have an agreement also that once we loaned them our student-athletes, because this is also a concern on the part of the schools, if an injury is incurred during a national team event they should be the one shouldering medical and rehabilitation expenses,” he said.
Just recently, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation suddenly released players from National University who made up the core of the Philippine squad that was supposed to participate in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup for Women.
The management of the Season 84 women’s volleyball champion Lady Bulldogs refused to allow their players to compete in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference semifinals citing health concerns. PNVF dissolved the team shortly and was replaced by PVL champion Creamline in two international events.