The new-look UST Growling Tigers are ready to conduct in-person team training for the first time during the Covid-19 pandemic, head coach Jinino Manansala said.
Manansala said UST was awaiting the approval of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) for the creation of a training “bubble” on the University’s campus.
“Ang hinihintay na lang natin is ‘yong pagpunta ng CHEd at DOH sa UST. Iche-check nila ‘yong venue kung saan gagawin yung practice ta’s kung saan kami titira. Ayon na lang,” he said.
Once authorities green-light UST’s training facilities and return-to-training safety protocols, the Tigers will immediately travel to campus, Manansala said.
So far, team training was limited via Zoom, he said.
Tigers are given daily workout tasks by their coaches and team therapists. After their workouts, the players have their conditions monitored by team staff.
Manansala said that despite the virtual training, the Tigers have remained eager to train and play.
“Ito namang nga bata, gutom ‘tong mga ‘to. Talagang bibigay nila ‘yong best nila sigurado, excited na ‘yang mga ‘yan magka-UAAP talaga,” he said.
Contact sports in Metro Manila
Metro Manila mayors have come up with a proposal to only allow fully vaccinated individuals to participate in contact sporting events in the region.
The mayors’ proposal, contained under Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Resolution No. 21-28, aims to incentivize vaccination.
“[O]nly fully vaccinated adults and minors shall be allowed to play or watch in an organized or unorganized [contact sporting] event…to ‘incentivize’ persons to get vaccinated,” the resolution read.
The MMDA recommended that local government units (LGUs) be given the authority to allow or prohibit spectators in contact sporting events.
Players are given the option to not wear face masks while playing. They are required, however, to wear masks when not playing.
The MMDA submitted the recommendations for review by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The IATF guidelines on alert levels allow contact sports to be held only if approved by LGUs. Non-contact sports on the other hand are allowed even without LGU approval at 50 percent indoor capacity.
The UAAP is eyeing two contact sports, basketball and volleyball, to headline its 84th season which is expected to launch in February. Jose Ama Alberto B. Rosario
