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The University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball team was anticipated to finally end its title drought in the UAAP when UAAP 81 Rookie of the Year CJ Cansino, and back-to-back UAAP juniors division champions Carl Tamayo and Gerry Abadiano committed to play for the maroon and green.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic meant that the UP community had to put their title aspirations on hold yet again.

Since its onset, the pandemic has brought about sweeping changes in all facets of human life. Many activities that would violate social distancing protocols have ground to a halt as the Duterte administration declares lockdown after lockdown. As travel and mobility are severely restricted, the UAAP is no exception.

The COVID-19 outbreak cut short the second-semester for UAAP Season 82, as the UAAP board formally announced the cancellation of remaining events. Moreover, it was an immensely disappointing for many student-athletes and fans when the UAAP board decided to postpone its 83rd season due to the lingering uncertainties posed by the COVID-19 virus.

“After a series of discussions, the UAAP board of trustees came to this difficult decision, putting major consideration on the health and safety of the student-athletes and those involved in the operations of our competitions,” the board announced last December 2020.

Saddened by the news, some of the  student-athletes and coaches shared their thoughts on social media such as the former UAAP men’s basketball MVP Thridy Ravena saying, “I feel for the athletes right now,” and former Tiger Spiker Jayvee Sumagaysay who encouraged his co-athletes to keep working hard and to continue chasing their dreams despite the pandemic.

Meanwhile, according to Randolph Leongson’s article, “Seniors’ eligibility among questions as UAAP coaches reflect on cancellation” published in December 2020, UP head coach Bo Perasol said that the decision was made with everyone’s best interest in mind. 

“I’ve always been on the side of caution, and if we cannot assure the safety of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, media, and staff in opening the season, why force it? One infected person is one too many at this time of uncertainty.” Perasol said.

The UP Lady Fighting Maroons volleyball team head coach Godfrey Okumu also supported the decision of the UAAP board saying that it is a great thing to put the safety of the teams first.

“The safety of the players usually comes first, other things come second,” Okumu added. He also assured that despite this, the team will continue to work hard once it is safe to do so.

With this, we must consider that when congregating in groups poses a health risk to players, coaches, staff, and fans, it is of utmost importance that everyone involved should abide by health protocols. As a result of delays in vaccine procurement, the 84th season is likewise shadowed by uncertainty. Thus, a return to any semblance of “normalcy” is still nowhere in sight.

On the other hand, it is clear that resuming the UAAP relies on ending the COVID-19 pandemic and charting an inclusive path to recovery for all Filipinos. Unfortunately, the Duterte administration is not up to this arduous task.

Despite Duterte’s administration claiming the credits for it had provided Filipino athletes with a financial support at the Tokyo Olympics, and as Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it was only natural to “reap the fruit of their investment,” there is no evidence that such financial support for Olympic athletes set a higher record than those of previous administrations.

In line with this, Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino to ever win a gold medal went on social media last 2019 to ask for assistance that made headlines, “It is okay to ask sponsorship sa mga private companites towards Tokyo 2020? Hirap na hirap  na ako, I need financial support. Sa tingin niyo okay lang kaya, nahihihya kasi ako pero try ko kapalan mukha ko para sa minimithi kong pangarap para sa atin bansa na maiwui ang gold medal sa Olympics.” 

The statement proves otherwise, but one thing’s clear: the Duterte administration was fast in taking credits for our Olympic athletes’ victories.

The country is in the thick of a worsening health crisis, as state auditors have flagged questionable deficiencies in the DOH’s management of pandemic funds that amount to PhP67.3 billion. The Duterte administration’s refusal to spend on much-needed aid and vaccines has contributed to the missed opportunities and challenges faced by the everyday Filipinos. Additionally, the DOH failed to liquidate any of its P59.125 billion budget intended for combating the unprecedented scale of the COVID-19 crisis.

COA stated the DOH’s failure to use the allocations was not in step with President Duterte’s Proclamation No. 922, declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country; Proclamation No. 929, declaring a state of calamity due to COVID-19; and Proclamation No. 1021 extending the period of the state of calamity.

In spite of the said deficiencies, and numerous controversies, including the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., PRRD repeatedly defended Health Secretary Francisco Duque. 

“Maski mag-isa na lang ako I will stand for Fuque, even if it will bring me down,” Duterte said last August 20, 2020.

Indeed, the government has had its priorities misplaced from the pandemic’s very beginning. It is important to acknowledge that public health must be prioritized above all other considerations. Furthermore, despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s repeated declarations that a vaccine is the pandemic’s “sole salvation”, his administration has responded poorly to public health issues, and has even obstructed and delayed the progress of resolving problems amidst pandemic.

After all, it’s not just about the school spirit, the glory, the roaring crowd, or the nerve-wracking match points. The disruption to the careers of our hard-working student-athletes is one of the most overlooked impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Featured image courtesy of Rappler.