University of the East is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring a successful hosting of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 set to open in September.
Incoming Season 86 president Rod Roque bared that as early as March he has been busy securing reservations for possible game venues for centerpiece sports basketball and volleyball which UE will sub-host.
“Actually, two months ago I started talking to Mall of Asia (Arena) and (Smart) Araneta Coliseum and the other venues for our hosting of basketball and volleyball,” Roque, the architect of UE’s smooth and memorable hosting of Season 77 about eight years ago, said.
“And good thing, they told me that they will talk to me on 2 June. But I’ve been working with them for the past two months already.”
Basketball, held during the first semester, and
second-semester sport volleyball traditionally draw the biggest number of spectators thus securing a venue capable of accommodating huge crowds is one of the top priorities each year for the season host.
Incoming UAAP chairman and UE president Dr. Zosimo Battad is confident of the school’s hosting with Roque at the helm.
“It will be a tough job. We have 85 years of UAAP tradition to live up to. We have a very experienced sports director by my side, professor Rod Roque, so I know we can do it and we are confident with the support of everyone we’ll be able to host Season 86 of the UAAP,” he said.
The league will carry the theme “Fueling the Future” with the opening tentatively scheduled on 30 September.
But according to Roque, the UAAP is looking to move the opening date earlier immediately after the end of the country’s hosting of the FIBA World Cup.
“That’s still tentative. We moved it to 30 September because of the FIBA (World Cup). But then again FIBA will be finished by 10 September so we’re thinking of moving it a bit earlier but it depends on the venues if they are available,” Roque said.
“As much as possible we would like to move it a little earlier than 30 September which also coincides with the 77th founding anniversary of UE so it will really be a busy month for us.”
The league is also in the early stages of talks about expanding its sporting events.
UAAP saw the return of its full calendar in Season 85 hosted by Adamson University. The league also opened its doors to the high school division following a three-year pandemic hiatus.
A total of 60 events in 21 sports in the juniors’ and seniors’ divisions were held for the first time since Season 81 back in 2019.
Last year, the UAAP only had seven sports competitions held in the seniors division as collegiate action returned following a shortened Season 82 in 2020.
