UAAP, NCAA call off Saturday games

The heavy downpour that struck the metropolis early Saturday morning and spawned widespread flooding has forced the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to postpone their scheduled Saturday afternoon senior matches.

UAAP president Nilo Ocampo of host National University announced the suspension of the league's double-header at the Mall of Asia Arena at around 9:30 in the morning.

"Please be advised that due to inclement weather, the UAAP Board of Trustees has decided that the seniors basketball games scheduled for today, July 21, will be postponed to a later date, with the best interests and safety of our players and patrons in mind," the league said in a statement. "Ticket arrangements for the affected games will be honored upon confirmation of the final venue and date."

Around the same time, NCAA Management Committee chairman Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, of host Letran made a similar announcement regarding their games at the Arena in San Juan, saying, "Games today are cancelled due to bad weather condition."

The Adamson Falcons were scheduled to play the University of the East Warriors at 2:00p.m., followed by the University of Sto. Tomas-University of the Philippines match at 4:00p.m. The NCAA's games had Arellano and Mapua facing off at 4:00p.m. and San Beda and Letran battling each other at 6:00p.m.

The UAAP junior division games scheduled for Saturday morning also at the MOA Arena pushed through, according to UAAP secretary Junel Baculi.

Earlier, several colleges and universities had already suspended their Saturday classes due to the strong rains and resulting floods.