UAAP badminton set for return

 

c/o UAAP

Badminton is set to resume for the UAAP with the league opening its campaign this weekend at the courts of Centro Atletico in Quezon City this weekend.

Six of the eight member schools will field a team in both the men's and women's divisions, with Far Eastern University and the University of the East sitting out the competition.

Fresh from holding the SMART Intercollegiate Tournament earlier this year, organizers are ready for its return after being in the freezer last season. Philippine Badminton Association Technical Committee chairman and deputy tournament director for this season Judith Brosula shares, "We are so glad na babalik na yung UAAP. But with the ongoing situation, we still need to follow the protocols. The Smart Intercollegiate Tournament last month was our test event and we will be following the same health and safety protocols from that tournament."

She adds, "We are also happy for the players na first time ulit sila magkikitakita sa collegiate setting. Sana mag-tuloy tuloy na."

The tournament will see all teams face off in a round-robin format, currently scheduled for October 29-30, November 5-6, and November 12. The two best teams will then advance to a winner-take-all final on November 13.

As for tweaks in the format, the only major rule change will see coaches are now not allowed to coach their players whilst a rally is ongoing. Play would be restarted and errant team will be issued a warning.

The opening set of match-ups for Saturday are as follows:

8am Men's: National University vs Adamson, Ateneo vs UST, and DLSU vs UP.

1pm Women's: Ateneo vs UST, Adamson vs UP, and DLSU vs NU.