LA Salle coach Derrick Pumaren yesterday said his charges and all other teams in the UAAP are aching to plunge into action.
“All teams are itching and raring to play,” Pumaren told Malaya-Business Insight. “It’s been almost two years without close contact competition.”
The Commission on Higher Education has given the green light for the resumption of collegiate training under stringent health and safety protocols last Nov. 16.
The move came on the heels of more contact sports being allowed in Metro Manila after the region was placed under Alert Level 2 until Nov. 30.
The CHED decision ended a long wait for the school teams’ return to physical training after the agency crafted and released the guidelines in October last year.
Pumaren is convinced a lot of people are looking forward to the league’s new season.
“I’m pretty sure everybody, not just the players but the school supporters are excited,” Pumaren said. “They can’t wait for the opening day.”
The UAAP is eyeing to launch its 84th season, set to be hosted by La Salle, early next year.
The Archers, who last won the crown in 2016 under former tactician Aldin Ayo, finished with a 7-7 card for fifth in 2019 and failed to advance to the Final Four for the second straight year.
The cancellation of the 83rd season last December marked the first time the UAAP called off a season since World War II from 1941 to 1946.
The UAAP also cancelled the remainder of the 82nd season in April last year at the start of the government-imposed lockdown to stem the spread of the deadly pulmonary virus and wanted to have a full calendar in the 83rd season.
School teams must file self-assessment report forms, a letter of intent with attached documents, including a sworn statement from the Higher Education Institutions adhering to the health regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19; a sample of health declaration forms to be filled up in every scheduled activity by the student-athletes, coaches, trainers, and the like; and a proof of document of the activity with proper clearances from the corresponding local government units (LGUs).
