Magkakaroon ng adjustment ang University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) sa men’s at women’s basketball schedule upang bigyang-daan ang paglahok ng ilang manlalaro sa mga internasyonal na torneo.
Ang ilan sa mga manlalaro ay sasali sa mga kampanya ng Gilas Pilipinas sa 20th Asian Games sa Nagoya, Japan, na nakatakda mula Setyembre 19 hanggang Oktubre 4, at sa FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup sa Wuhan, China sa Setyembre 15 to 19.
“The support of the UAAP is important to our national team programs, especially with so many of our student-athletes being called up to represent the country,” ayon kay Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Erika Dy.
“We appreciate the UAAP for working closely with us and for making the necessary adjustments to accommodate our national team commitments. This kind of partnership allows our athletes to compete for both their schools and the Philippines with the support they need.”
Sinabi ni UAAP Season 89 president Mark Molina ng Far Eastern University, ang host ng Season 89, na ang misyon ng UAAP ay hindi lamang kumpetisyon.
“We are here to develop student-athletes who can represent our schools, but we are equally proud when they get the opportunity to represent the country,” ani Molina.
“The UAAP will always support all our national teams, and we are willing to adjust our schedules whenever necessary to give our student-athletes the opportunity to serve the Philippines.”
Ang opening ceremony ng UAAP Season 89 ay nakatakda sa Setyembre 12 sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City.
Maglalaro sa Setyembre 13 sa Smart Araneta Coliseum sa Quezon City ang FEU laban sa Adamson University (12 noon), defending champion De La Salle University laban sa National University (2:30 p.m.) at University of the Philippines laban sa University of Santo Tomas (6 p.m.).
Ang iba pang iskedyul ay sa Setyembre 16 sa Pasay muli ay Ateneo de Manila University versus University of the East, 3 p.m.; at De La Salle versus UST, 5:30 p.m.); at sa Setyembre 19 sa Araneta Coliseum na tatampukan ng NU versus UE, 3 p.m.; at Ateneo versus UP, 5:30 p.m.
“We are very grateful to the UAAP for its understanding and support of our 3×3 program and our national team athletes,” ani SBP 3×3 basketball program director Ryan Gregorio.
“These student-athletes are not only representing their respective schools but also the Philippines, and the UAAP’s willingness to adjust its calendar allows them to prepare and compete for the country without having to choose between their national team duties and their commitments to their schools,” dagdag ni Gregorio.