Photo from Akari Sports
The fact will set in when the UAAP unveils Season 90 three years from now.
The dream, nonetheless, began way back.
In between the 2, the work continues for the UAAP’s recent home.
“It was born out of necessity but listening to all of the people earlier, deep inside each one in all us, all of us yearn for a house,” UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag told select members of the media on Tuesday in Quezon City after the signing of a memorandum of agreement with partner Akari Corp. to construct a brand recent multisport venue.
The centerpiece of the project, which can rise on a 1.8-hectare lot in Pasig City, might be an arena that can seat around 6,000 to 7,000 fans and might be dubbed “Home of the UAAP.”
“We would like to have a house [but] other than the necessity, it’s actually the want to appreciate an aspirational dream of getting your individual home,” Saguisag said. “I believe each [reasons] are necessary for us.”
The project will host all indoor tournaments of the varsity league, but due to the limited seating, blockbuster matchups, especially in basketball and volleyball, will still be held in larger venues akin to Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Arena.
“The Home of the UAAP is just not only for the league itself; it’s for the student-athletes who represent the guts and soul of the UAAP. That is their home—a spot where they will compete, grow and thrive,” Saguisag said throughout the press conference.
Long-term lease
Signing the agreement were Saguisag and Akari chief executive officer Christopher Tiu, amongst others.
“This Home of the UAAP project is our way of supporting grassroots sports development, where young student-athletes can grow, excel and shine on the national stage. I’m honored that Akari is playing a pivotal role in shaping the long run of varsity sports within the Philippines,” Tiu said.
The landmark venue is targeted to be accomplished three years from now when the league holds Season 90 which might be hosted by National University.
It is usually seen to offer student-athletes a way of stability and familiarity that will help bring out a greater performance during games, added Saguisag.
Though the UAAP is a partner within the project, the league is just not a co-owner but might be in a long-term lease agreement for greater than a decade. The brand new arena may even be open to host other leagues akin to the PBA, PVL and even NCAA.
“Next step might be coming up with a schematic design after which once it’s approved … we might be involved within the constructing and constant consultation,” the chief director said. “A minimum of we’re given a probability, unlike the opposite venues which are already built once we rent it and just need to live with the current structure.”
“You may literally call it a neutral ground, level playing field for each one as nobody may have a house court,” Saguisag said of the venue situated in between the areas of the league’s member universities. INQ
