MANILA – University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) athletes whose final playing year was cut short after Season 82 was cancelled due to coronavirus disease 2019 are set to be gifted with an extra year of eligibility.
Outgoing UAAP president Em Fernandez said discussions are now underway for these super seniors so that they can represent their schools one last time in Season 83 which is slated to start early 2021.
Fernandez, however, clarified that the extension will only be for those athletes in second-semester sports.
The Season 82 events which got cancelled or did not take place were volleyball, football, baseball, softball, athletics, lawn tennis, and 3×3 basketball.
On the other hand, athletes who were able to play in five-on-five basketball but not in the three-on-three event are no longer eligible for Season 83.
“Players (from the second semester sports) will be given a chance and (Season 82) won’t be counted as a playing year for them,” Fernandez said.
“Pwede ka pa as long as one year na overage ka lang. Mapapagbibigyan ka pa ng isang taon,” he added.
This means volleybelles like Kat Tolentino and Jho Maraguinot of reigning women’s volleyball champion Ateneo de Manila University; Ennajie Laure of University of Santo Tomas; Maria Lina Molde and Diana Carlos from University of the Philippines; and Risa Sato of National University (NU) can all return for Season 83 action.
It also applies to Ricky Marcos, Edward Camposano, and James Natividad, members of defending back-to-back men’s volleyball champion NU, as well as Arianne Vallestero, Jeanette Rusia, and Arlyn Bautista of the 10-peat-seeking Adamson University women’s softball team.
Season 82 was cancelled last April./PN
