FAIR play will be recognized in a brand new way, as the UAAP aims to promote honesty and sportsmanship just in time for the first serve of the Season 88 volleyball tournaments Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
During the preseason conference, commissioner Mike Verano unveiled the groundbreaking initiative, which includes the issuance of green cards across both the men’s and women’s tournaments of the eight-team competition.
“The most important innovation that we’ll be implementing for Season 88 is the implementation of the green card. This will reward the student-athletes with their honesty and sportsmanship,” he said.
“The green card will also be a criteria to honor them at the end of the season with a Sportsmanship Award,” he added.
Under this rule, a player who voluntarily acknowledges a block touch or a net touch will be awarded a green card. This measure is intended to fast-track the adjudication process and reduce the need for unnecessary video challenges.
At the end of the season, the league will reward the team with the most green cards with the Sportsmanship Award, in addition to the usual individual accolades.
National U defends double championships
Aside from the introduction of the green card, the tournament will proceed as usual during the opening weekend. Highlights include the Valentine’s Day clash between La Salle and Far Eastern University, followed by the rematch of the Season 86 Finals between defending champion National U and University of Santo Tomas on Sunday.
Even as they enter a post-Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon era, the spotlight remains on the Lady Bulldogs, who retain an intact core of setter Lams Lamina and outside spiker Vange Alinsug, while adding prized rookie Sam Cantada under new head coach Regine Diego to bolster their three-peat bid.
The same holds true for their men’s team, as the six-peat-seeking Bulldogs maintain a cohesive lineup featuring middle blocker Peng Taguibolos, opposite spiker Leo Ordiales, and the duo of Buds Buddin and Jade Disquitado — all of whom represented the Philippines in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.
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