ONE can’t be too careful.
This was stressed by Jose Rizal University coach Louie Gonzalez, who said that safety and health remain as top priorities despite the Commission on Higher Education’s green light for collegiate teams to return to physical training.
“We are excited and happy sa development. We are just following iyong lead ng office,” Gonzalez told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday.
“We started iyong preparation sa return to training in compliance with the CHED, DOH, IATF and NCAA protocols. Safety pa din ang priority,” he added.
Gonzalez admitted the Heavy Bombers are aching to play but will have to wait a little bit more.
“They’re raring to go back. We told them na dapat mas mag-ingat pa. Matagal tagal din ang paghihintay,” Gonzalez said.
“Tuloy-tuloy lang din naman iyong training pero madami na rin kaming idinagdag.”
The NCAA is eyeing to launch its 97th season early next year.
The country’s oldest collegiate league pushed through this season with virtual and skills events, with the basketball and volleyball tournaments getting canceled.
Taekwondo and chess were both held online, while alumni from all 10 member-schools participated in All-Star Skills competitions for both basketball and volleyball.
JRU wound up with a 5-13 card in the last NCAA cage wars in 2019.
Wingman Agem Miranda, forwards Marwin Dionisio, John Amores, guard Ry Dela Rosa, and Darius Estrella are expected to lead the Bombers’ charge along with forward EJ Agbong and playmaker Jason Celis, both of them former Knights, and another new addition in forward Paolo Quiminales from Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology.
The Shaw Boulevard-based five last advanced to the Final Four in 2017 under former tactician and pro league great Vergel Meneses.
JRU has not won a title since 1972 behind PBA great Philip Cezar.
The CHED gave the nod for the resumption of collegiate training under stringent health and safety protocols last month.
The move came on the heels of more contact sports being allowed in Metro Manila after the region was placed under Alert Level 2 until Dec. 15.
The CHED’s decision ended a long wait for the school teams’ return to physical training after the agency crafted and released the guidelines in October last year.
School teams must file self-assessment report forms, a letter of intent with attached documents, including a sworn statement from the Higher Education Institutions adhering to the health regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19; a sample of health declaration forms to be filled up in every scheduled activity by the student-athletes, coaches, trainers, and the like; and a proof of document of the activity with proper clearances from the corresponding local government units (LGUs).
The CHED will also conduct on-site inspections, considering the engineering control from the inventory of sports facilities and occupancy capacity with respect to physical distancing protocols, the athletes’ dormitory or housing facility, transportation of food, drinks, and mental health services, as well as the study area with proper wi-fi connections; to the health and hygiene protocols to be observed.
Once finished, it will be up to the CHED to give the acknowledgment certification which will allow varsity teams to resume their training.
Participants must undergo an RT-PCR test and net a negative test, or a 14-day isolation period before taking part in the training.
The venues must be equipped with screening areas and temperature checks and enforce regular disinfection schedules before and after training.
