UAAP changes volleyball schedule to put spotlight on men's tournament

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines has made a change in its volleyball competition schedule following the silver medal finish of the men's national team at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Games in the men's and women's tournament will now be played alternately during scheduled play dates, UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag announced in a press conference on Tuesday.

Previously, the men's games were held in the morning and the women's games were held in the afternoon.

"It's high time we give the men's [teams] props this time," Saguisag said.

UAAP president Em Fernandez said the SEA Games was an "eye-opener" as the men's team returned to the finals after scoring an upset against defending champion Thailand.

Coaches welcomed the change in schedule, which will put equal spotlight to the men's tournament.

"Kasama na rin ang men's team sa aabangan ng mga tao," Philippine team and National University head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.

"Thank you sa opportunity sa men's volleyball, mas mabibigyan ng pansin," La Salle coach Arnold Laniog said. "With this continuous program, makukuha natin ang presence and sa future, di malayo ang gintong [medal]."

Players were excited to play under the new schedule, which Ateneo men's volleyball coach Timmy Sto. Tomas considered a "stepping stone in immersing players in the international atmosphere."

"Sobrang saya namin dahil binigyan kami ng pagkakataon na makilala at mapanood ng maraming tao," national team and NU libero Ricky Marcos told GMA News Online. 

For UST's Joshua Umandal, the silver medal finish of the Philippine national team also challenged them to bring their A-game to the UAAP.

"Nag-train kami nang higit pa sa [usual] training namin kasi tumaas na ang competition ngayon," he said.

Challenge system to be implemented

Another change in this season's volleyball tournament is the implementation of the challenge system, which was also inspired by the SEA Games.

Specific rules in the implementation of the challenge system are yet to be given, but UAAP volleyball commissioner Noreen Go said the mechanics will be released before the opening game on Saturday.

"The challenge system, I think we need it at some point. It's [a] great [addition]," University of the Philippines women's volleyball head coach Godfrey Okumu said.

UAAP volleyball will commence this weekend, with men's and women's teams of UP going against UE, and FEU playing UST on Saturday. On Sunday, Adamson's teams will face NU, and slated as well are Ateneo-La Salle matches. —MGP, GMA News