Photo by Pia B. Guballa

WITH A hearty theme in place, and the entire community geared up for another season of sporting excitement, it’s high time that the nitty-gritty details be discussed.

Behind the glamor and prestige that come with hosting the UAAP, the minute backstage details are arguably more important. Game schedules, venue reservations and ticket allocations comprise just the tip of the logistical iceberg. As opening day looms closer, the University Athletics Office (UAO) has made it a point to be as prepared as possible.

“We’re carrying over the [systems] La Salle and FEU have implemented in the past years, which we think were effective,” said Emmanuel Fernandez, Assistant Director of the UAO.

Of these systems, most memorable was the specific allocation of tickets for certain “big” games.

This year, tickets for basketball games expected to drive high patronage, such as Ateneo versus La Salle games and Final Four matches, will still be sold on a per game (not per day) basis. As in the past, the prior game will be scheduled some two hours earlier to make way for patrons to rush in.

Probably the biggest difference in terms of scheduling is the earlier tip-off time for the Seniors division basketball games. In order for the Araneta Coliseum to accommodate both the PBA and the UAAP, games have been relegated an hour earlier to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

“It’s a good idea, not just because of the PBA, but also because it gives students a better, earlier time to watch, especially on Thursdays,” explained Fernandez.

For the first round of competition, Men’s Basketball will take place either at the Araneta Coliseum or the PhilSports Arena in Pasig. Junior’s and Women’s games, meanwhile, will be held at the Blue Eagle Gym from time to time.

Moving away from the country’s favorite sport, some arrangements are still being worked on for the other sporting events in the UAAP. Each athletic year, there are certain hosts assigned to specific sports. UST, for example, has hosted baseball and softball for years now, as is the case with UP and swimming. For Ateneo’s part, football has always been played on the Erenchun and Ocampo fields.

This year however, the UAO has more on its hands. “Basketball and volleyball now is sort of a package deal if you’re the general host,” added Fernandez.

Nevertheless, things seem to be going smoothly in the lead up to the opening day at Marikina on July 9.

Back at Loyola Heights, the renovation of the football field will begin any time soon. The target date for the project’s completion is right before the start of the UAAP football season, set in the middle of the second semester. As long as the overhaul starts in July, the field will be ready come the first whistle. Of course, the accompanying track oval will have to wait for its turn, but if all goes well, both improvements will be seen by early next year.

As for the planned Nike stock room at the UAO, shirts, jackets, and other apparel have already been shipped, while athletic shoes and other essential items are being delivered as of press time.

In line with the theme of this year’s UAAP season, Ateneo is not holding back, even in the most mundane of details.