Members of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers have returned to Manila after allegedly undergoing months of training in Sorsogon.
They arrived in Manila just as university officials wrapped up their internal probe amidst allegations that members of the men's varsity basketball team were not properly nourished in Sorsogon.
The reported training camp, known as the “Sorsogon bubble,” has been stopped a week after former Growling Tigers' team captain CJ Cansino was taken off the team.
Cansino eventually transferred to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons' side.
University Athletic Association of the Philippines executive director Rebo Saguisag said the results of the investigation are now in the hands of the UST Rector's Office.
“A member of the committee will be asked to submit the report and attend a meeting with the Commission on Higher Education, Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Health and Games and Amusement Board,” said Saguisag following an interview with the Manila Standard.
UST coach Aldin Ayo has instructed members of the team to pack up last Tuesday, according to sources.
Concerns were raised by members of the team about the training camp's food qualify. There were also reports that some players got sick at the time as mentioned by ex-team member Cansino, Brent Paraiso, Bismarck Lina, and Ira Bataller in their recent posts on social media.
“The UAAP is committed to protecting the health and safety of each of its student-athletes. We firmly adhere to government policies and directives that require our collective commitment to manage the challenges of the pandemic. We have reminded our members regarding the proper conduct of sports activities at this time,” added Saguisag.
Officials of National University have also been invited to the meeting, over allegations that its women's volleyball team also went into a training bubble in Calamba, Laguna recently.
The tripartite group is holding an inquiry since the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases has not given its go-signal for collegiate basketball teams to return to practice.