The UAAP will open its 84th season through a pre-recorded production amid the Covid-19 pandemic, marking the return of collegiate sports action after almost two years.
This was the measure provided by the UAAP Board as audience and members of the press are still off-limits from watching and covering live games.
"Yes, we have an opening ceremony," said UAAP Season 84 president Nonong Calanog of host De La Salle University. "However, it will be recorded. In fact, it's actually in process already, on post-production. We've been actually shooting this since November."
Calanog added that games, particularly men's basketball, will proceed after the opening ceremony on March 26.
READ: UAAP Season 84 kicks off March 26
Target days for three basketball games -- under a bubble setup -- are set on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday with time slots of 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. still in consideration.
Opening ceremonies are usually met with high expectations with the presence of a live audience and university crowd while respective universities don their colors.
But spectators and fans alike would have to wait, at least at the end of the first round, before the UAAP Board considers welcoming them in venues.
"Hopefully, it will still have the same feel of the UAAP opening ," added Calanog.