MANILA — Unlike last year, action in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines — this time around — will be “full of life” with 60 events in 21 sports disciplines on tap under a “better normal” environment although observance of health protocols would still be encouraged.

That was the two-word description by UAAP president Fr. Aldrin Suan of host school Adamson University and Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag for the 85th edition of the UAAP, adding that the school-based sports organization will “Rise as One” by staging 60 events in 21 sports.

“Now, we are back and full of life,” Fr. Suan was quoted as saying as he answered queries from sports scribes during an online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

The UAAP’s Season 85 comes off the wraps Saturday (October 1, 2022) with the traditional two-game feature of men’s basketball pitting reigning champion University of the Philippines (UP) against De La Salle at the Mall of Asia Arena, right after the colorful opening ceremony.

Also on tap is the second game between host Adamson University against University Santo Tomas (UST) as the UAAP finally returns — after two long years due to the Covid pandemic — to a full calendar of games.

Action in the senior basketball games returns the following day Sunday (October 2) featuring University of the East against National University and Ateneo against Far Eastern University.

Last Season, the UAAP staged but a handful of events, including men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, women’s 3×3, men’s and women’s chess, Poomsae, and beach volleyball.

It was gathered that the opening ceremony of the 85th Season will be pre-recorded and will be aired by Cignal TV along with the rest of the games.

Events on tap this year are 3×3 and the boys’ side, badminton, chess, table tennis, beach volley, swimming, athletics, cheer dance, judo, taekwondo, football, volleyball, fencing, softball, baseball, football, tennis, and street dance.

“But the protocols will still be there (like weekly testing). Every venue will have its own requirements,” said Saguisag.

The host school also reminded patrons that basketball venues like the MOA Arena and Araneta Coliseum will still impose certain restrictions.

“The patron section will be opened but not full. The area behind the bench will remain restricted,” Saguisag said. “Cordoned off there is no contact with the players. The health of student-athletes is still paramount.”

And to give way to the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in November, the UAAP will follow a schedule, with double-headers on Saturdays and Sundays and quadruple-headers on Wednesdays Saguisag explained adding “the schedule in men’s basketball may go down deep into December.

“All eight teams will play on Wednesdays,” said Fr. Suan added.