THE UAAP has heeded the call of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan as it approved the suspension of the college league's games for the duration of the 2013 Fiba-Asia Championship in Manila.
UAAP secretary/ treasurer Junel Baculi said the decision not to hold games for the duration of the August 1-11 event was reached during the league board’s regular monthly meeting on Wednesday.
“We have discussed sa UAAP board ‘yung August hosting ng Philippines of Fiba-Asia (championships) and we decided that there will be no basketball games during the competition,” said Baculi in an SMS message.
“Before and after, meron,” Baculi added.
As UAAP games are normally played every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, six playing dates will be affected during the duration of the Asian championships, to be hosted by the country for the first time in 40 years.
Pangilinan had requested the UAAP as well as the NCAA to suspend play so that the country can focus on the showpiece, whose games will be played mainly at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Incidentally, the UAAP held games at the Mall of Asia Arena last season.
“Ang thinking namin, to allow the country to focus in this international event, we would have to request the boards of the collegiate leagues kung puwedeng ipagpaliban sa amin, suspend their games for the relevant dates, which is twelve days,” said Pangilinan in a formal press conference last week.
“So they may get delayed in terms of closing their tournament. But of course we have to write them. It’s up to them,” Pangilinan added.
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