An Almost Inevitability: UAAP Season 83 Likely to be Pushed Back Due to COVID-19

In light of the national government's extending the enhanced community quarantine period in high-risk areas including the National Capital Region until May 15, there's a big possibility that Season 83 of the UAAP isn't going to open until October of this year, according to UAAP Executive Director Attorney Rebo Saguisag.

For starters, the school year 2020-2021 is likely to open September, at the latest, if things start to improve by then as the Department of Education has already moved the school calendar due to the said pandemic, The UAAP, along with the other collegiate leagues in the country, will likely delay the opening of their respective seasons to later dates. The question of whether or not the league will indeed open in October isn't even an answerable question as Saguisag said that the league will make its decision depending on the instructions that the government will give.

While this delay is almost an inevitable one considering the circumstances, Attorney Saguisag said that the league will address all of the unintended consequences of the further extension of the ECQ period once the situation allows them to do so. Whether or not giving the seniors of Season 82 an additional eligible year is included in the options is a question we'll know the answer in the next few months.

For now, UAAP fans will have to hope for the best that Season 83 will still happen this year. While the delay is almost as sure as the Ateneo Blue Eagles potentially winning their fourth straight championship, a delay is still better than cancellation Season 83 altogether.

Photo is from ESPN