Manila: The UAAP Basketball Commissioner's Office has pledged to continue enhancing tournament operations for the second semester, which will start on January 19 with the high school boys' and girls' tournaments, and culminate with the 3x3 competition in the first week of May. This commitment follows significant enhancements implemented during the first semester of UAAP Season 87, ensuring standardized officiating and efficient management across the men's, women's, and junior high school boys' basketball tournaments.
According to Philippines News Agency, the initiatives are part of the commissioner's vision to ensure fairness, consistency, and excellence within the league. Commissioner Xavier Nunag emphasized fostering collaboration, empowering referees, and maintaining open communication with schools and coaches to uphold the highest standards of officiating and game management. The UAAP Commissioner's Team includes lawyer Mariana Lopa as deputy commissioner for women, Marvin Bienvenida for juniors, Michael Villar as media head, and Lance Mandalano as deputy for operations.
The commissioner's office conducted pre-season visits to member schools, familiarizing student-athletes and coaches with officiating standards to ensure a smooth transition from training to competition. Upholding integrity and consistency, the office maintained its exclusive referee pool policy, restricting UAAP referees to officiate only within the league. This policy, along with ongoing training and mentorship programs, ensured high officiating standards and alignment with the latest FIBA rules.
A rapid response system for addressing officiating queries and a rigorous post-game review process were retained to guarantee transparency and accountability. Standardized game procedures and clear disciplinary protocols continued to create a level playing field for all teams. Meanwhile, Lopa highlighted the focus on gender equality, stating that the commissioner's team set a standard where equality is non-negotiable, and excellence knows no gender. The team took steps to recruit and train female game officials, ensuring opportunities to officiate at the highest collegiate level, thereby enhancing the quality of play and spotlighting women's basketball.
