“As UAAP’s digital partner, Smart embraces this opportunity not just to bring the games to more Filipinos, but also help bring the passion for sports to many, especially during these challenging times,” said Al S. Panlilio, PLDT Chief Revenue Officer and Smart President and CEO.

The collaboration involving UAAP, Cignal, One Sports, and Smart will start as soon as the league returns for Season 83. The league now plans to bring the game closer to fans through digital platforms, unlock new opportunities to promote collegiate sports and foster school pride among students.

“We share the vision of UAAP in promoting collegiate sports as a breeding ground of the next generation of world-class athletes.”

As one of the country’s leading amateur leagues, UAAP and its legions of fans can expect more exciting and engaging ways to watch their favorite sports—powered by Smart’s latest mobile innovations and digital technology.

The league is expecting to stage its restart in a bubble setup in 2021 as guidelines for training crafted by the CHED and its technical working group and subject to the approval of the IATF have been put in place.

Games are still prohibited and training is only limited in areas under general community quarantine and modified general community quarantine.

Prior to this digital collaboration, Smart recently promoted NBA action to Filipinos via NBA Smart, and now powers the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) bubble in Clark, Pampanga.

Smart, of course, shares a long history of supporting the country’s various sports programs, leagues, and athletes both in the local and international arena.

“Bringing UAAP right at the fingertips of more Filipinos is aligned with our commitment to simply give our customers exactly what they want and enable them to pursue their passions through cutting-edge digital technology,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.