UST’S student athletes have been asked to retrieve their belongings from dormitories provided by the school around Sampaloc, Manila, with sports events still on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We continue to pay for the rental of these dormitories. Until recently, the University has decided to vacate them in order to cut down on the expenses,” Athletics Director Fr. Rodel Cansancio told the Varsitarian.
Some team coaches explained that UST administers a “scheduled approach” for athletes to get their things.
An athlete would not be able to obtain their things without permission from their coaches or the dorm supervisor, who schedule pick-up dates per room to avoid overcrowding.
For students who are in provinces, UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics will keep their belongings in extra rooms at the Quadricentennial Pavilion (QPav) if they are unable to get them before April 30. In some instances, things were delivered to students via courier service.
Athletes from the taekwondo, tennis, poomsae, baseball, beach volleyball, athletics, volleyball and chess teams confirmed that they have been clearing their dorms the past week while some teams such as Women’s Basketball cleared their rooms last year.
The director reassured that the University will re-rent dorms when it is deemable to do so.
“We plan to rent these dormitories again for our student-athletes should the situation allow it,” Cansancio said.
Face-to-face training for non-professional athletes have been prohibited by IATF guidelines since March 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. UAAP has been suspended since mid-season 82. With reports from Anna Clarissa Barlam, James Paul Gomez, Nina Angela Cruz and Mark Villeza
