UNLIKE in Season 84 where the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) just held five events from two sports, the collegiate league will play all 60 events from 21 sports in Season 85.

UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag and UAAP President Fr. Aldrin Suan of host school Adamson University made the announcement on Tuesday at the Philippine Sportswriters Association online forum.

Suan said that even the UAAP high school events, which were shelved for more than two years, will also be back.

“It can be expected that we will have a full calendar this UAAP Season 85, with 21 sports and a total of 60 events,” said Suan.

“The rationale is that we are resuming face-to-face classes. That’s it. If face-to-face classes haven’t returned, we won’t resume their extra-curricular activities.”

As a precautionary measure against Covid-19 in Season 84, the UAAP only staged the men’s 5-on-5 basketball, men’s and women’s 3x3 basketball, women’s indoor volleyball, and men’s beach volleyball.

The shortened season ran from March to June this year.

Season 85 will unfold on October 1 with the customary opening ceremony at the Mall of Asia Arena. It will be followed by the men’s basketball game between Adamson and University of Santo Tomas and capped by the University of the Philippines versus La Salle duel.

According to Suan, the UAAP will also hold basketball games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The patron section of the venues, which was left vacant last season for the safety of the players, will now be open for the fans but the area behind the bench will still be restricted.

Four games will be held on Wednesdays and two games each on Saturdays and Sundays.

There will be a season break from November 6 to 16 so UAAP players can be made available for the Philippine men’s basketball team that will compete in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The UAAP men’s basketball tournament is expected to end on December 17 while the Cheerdance Competition will be held on December 10.

Women’s volleyball, football, and other sports events will be held next year.