UAAP toughens med screens post-student-athlete deaths

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) announced it will strengthen medical screening protocols following the recent deaths of two student-athletes during training sessions.

Ashlyn Abong, a 19-year-old basketball player from National University, passed away on June 28 after collapsing during practice, and Israel Friday, an 18-year-old basketball player from the University of the Philippines, died last week while also training.

Atty. Rebo Saguisag emphasized at a season host press conference that UAAP will be even more cautious this time around, ensuring stricter pre-participation medical screenings for athletes before they begin training with their varsity squads.

The University of the Philippines has already implemented changes in its protocol, requiring all students to undergo medical evaluation and student-athletes to go through a pre-participation medical sports evaluation (PMSE) before joining teams.

The 88th season of the UAAP is scheduled to start on September 19, coinciding with major international sporting events like the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship hosted by the Philippines and the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.