Universities and Colleges Basketball League President Franklin Evidente said yesterday that they are committed to stage the league’s fifth season either late this year or early next year amid the global economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are continually planning and exploring ways to restart our league under the new normal,” said the amiable chief executive. “Whether it will be late this year or early 2021, the UCBL is committed to open our Season 5 on national television.”
Evidente said they have studied thoroughly the guidelines crafted by members of the Inter-Agency Task Force and the league is fully supporting the protocols for the safety of everybody concerned.
“Aside from commitment and patience, discipline and cooperation of all sectors in these trying times are very important if the country is to beat the virus that has put almost everything on hold the past three months.
There are so many challenges right now but the league is confident that with everyone’s cooperation, our nation will overcome this health crisis,” said Evidente.
Though saddened that one member school may not be able to take part in Season 5, Evidente said they are in constant communication with other member-schools since the suspension of classes in early March.
He said all other schools have maintained their teams and have in fact engaged in online drills and workouts to keep their players in shape.
“This shows the continuing commitment of the UCBL member schools in preserving sports as an equally valuable component of education besides academics,” said Evidente.
Aside from reigning champion Diliman College, other members are inaugural champion Centro Escolar University, Olivarez College, University of Batangas, Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas, National College of Business Administration and Philippine Christian College-Dasmarinas.