UAAP to reinforce medical screenings, remind schools about protocols after recent student-athlete deaths

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) said it will reinforce its medical screening protocols after the deaths of two student-athletes that happened during the offseason.

Ashlyn Abong of National University passed away last June 28, while Israel Friday of the University of the Philippines died last August 20.

Both basketball players were in training when they collapsed before passing.

“Sa competition side, may EMS (emergency medical services) naman kami, but we’re also ensuring na sa training, meron silang pre-participation medical screening, papaigtingin lang,” UAAP executive director Atty. Rene Andrei “Rebo” Saguisag said. 

“I’m sure meron yan, pero mas conscious na kami ngayon to remind the schools in their training venues [as well].”

[On the competition side, we have EMS, but we're also ensuring that in traning, they have pre-participation medical screening, we just need to reinforce this... I'm sure this is in place but we are more conscious now to remind the schools in their training venues.]

Abong, 18 years old, also suited up for the Gilas Pilipinas Women U18 team which competed in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup Division B last year. Gilas Pilipinas Women U18 coach Julie Amos previously said "Ashlyn passed away during training—doing what she loved most."

Friday, 19 years old, was UP's newly-recruited foreign student-athlete. According to the UP Office of Athletics and Sports Development, Israel passed away after collapsing in practice. He was taken to the hospital afterwards but passed away despite efforts from medical personnel.

The 88th season of the UAAP is expected to open on September 19.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News