No face-to-face classes, no games have always been the stance of the UAAP and it remains that way as the league stays in line with the government about the hopeful restart of the season.

“Gusto nating matuloy, but we also know importante ang mga bata,” Saguisag added.

The government is resistant to its directive that until a vaccine becomes accessible to the general public, it’s only then when face-to-face classes can resume.

It is still unpredictable when things can go back to normal and when games will be permitted due to the continuing fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Saguisag admits that the “easiest and laziest way out is to scrap the season altogether,” but the Board of Trustees (BOT) are looking at all measures to salvage what was supposed to be UAAP Season 83.

“We continue to monitor international and national events and look at the data and the science, we continue to coordinate with the proper government agencies to still salvage the season more or less. Of course, the UAAP Board of Trustees has to pass a resolution, but for anything to happen between now and 2020, mukhang malabo na,” he said.

All hope isn’t lost for the possible restart, as Saguisag reveals that the league is considering a bubble concept in April 2021.

However, for that environment to happen, CHED and other government agencies must first permit universities and colleges to conduct training.

“Kung ma-approve ang training, hopefully we start our trainings by January after the Christmas break. The teams will need two to three months to prepare and after Easter Sunday on April 4, hopefully if all goes well, we’re looking at starting the season by April in a bubble scenario,” he added.

The UAAP executive was also frank in admitting that with such controlled situations, only limited sports can be played, among those being flagship events like men’s basketball and women’s volleyball.

“We’re all about equality in sports, kaya lang syempre with our partners, we also have to consider yung commercial side. Unfortunately, when you talk about that, talagang yung flagship events ang napag-uusapan. Yan ang mga tinitimbang namin,” he said, with the UAAP just sealing a five-and-a-half-year deal with Cignal TV as its new broadcast partner.

Promising as those plans are, Saguisag reiterated that nothing remains final and conditions must improve before a go signal will be given.

“Hindi pa sinasabing tuloy, pero yan ang pinagaaralan,” he said.