COMING off the successful staging of the UAAP basketball tournaments, commissioner Xavy Nunag is elated to have set high standards for the premier collegiate league's first semester of the athletic year.
“Our vision for the UAAP Commissioner’s Team is to ensure fairness, consistency, and excellence in every aspect of the league,” he said.
The team - consisted of Nunag, deputy commissioners Atty. Mariana Lopa and Marvin Bienvenida, media head Michael Villar, and deputy for operations Lance Mandalano - drew rave reviews from coaches and school officials with how the men’s, women’s, and junior high school competitions were conducted.
From the establishment of a dedicated Commissioner’s Team which ensured equal attention and consistent monitoring of the league and engagement with member-schools, operating procedures and standards were elaborated in a proactive manner.
“This fostered better understanding and preparation, while ensuring smoother transitions from training to official games,” said Nunag.
Having a dedicated referee pool for games was also a plus, as the highest standards of officiating were upheld and consistency guaranteed.
The Commissioner’s Office was also prompt in addressing clarifications and appeals from teams and established a post-game review process to analyze the officiating performance.
“We wanted to strengthen trust among teams, referees, and the league administration, while promoting accountability, fairness, and continuous improvement for our game officials,” he said.
Aside from that, innovations were also introduced, from referee development and mentorship programs where referees can enhance their skills, keep updated with the latest FIBA rules, and ensure top-tier officiating performance; to game standardization practices which focused on consistent application of rules and a fair playing field for all teams across divisions.
More than anything, Nunag was happy to zoom in on the strengthened collaboration between coaches and team officials, as the Commissioner’s Team held regular meetings and feedback sessions, encouraging a collaborative approach to improving officiating and game management.
“This team is dedicated to creating a level playing field where every athlete, coach, and fan can trust the integrity of the game,” said Nunag.
UAAP prides itself in diversity
The UAAP Commissioner’s Office also took pride on being the most diverse in Philippine basketball, with Lopa stating: “In the UAAP, equality is non-negotiable, and excellence knows no gender. Within our team, we enforced a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of harassment and discrimination. Everyone had an equal voice and was valued for their contributions, regardless of gender.”
“Our commitment to gender equality extended to assigning top referees across all divisions, including the women’s games. This deliberate effort enhanced the quality of play, contributing to unprecedented attention to the women’s division; in addition, of course, to the topitier talent that the UAAP now attracts. The results spoke for themselves, with record-breaking attendance numbers and a renewed spotlight on women’s basketball,” she said.
With these best practices put in place, Nunag is upbeat that the same level of top-tier officiating will be observed in the coming tournaments for the second semester: particularly the boys, girls, and 3x3 tournaments.
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