The University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics (UP CHK) vowed to address the concerns of the UP Women's Volleyball Team (UP WVT), after the Fighting Maroons requested to change managers due to complaints of mismanagement and mistreatment ahead of the UAAP Season 85 volleyball tournament.
The college also reported they are "continually addressing [the UP WVT's] specific requests and have secured the support and commitment of team sponsors," who would provide funding and other team necessities.
But there was no specific word from the college regarding staffing changes, particularly with embattled team manager Angela Villamil.
Nowhere To Go But UP (ntgbUP) Foundation, Inc., a volunteer group of UP alumni, earlier said Villamil was still part of the staff.
"To our knowledge, she has been stripped of this title," ntgbUP chairperson Jed Eva III said in a statement. "But [she] continues to be part of the UP WVT management team."
Delayed allowances, lack of coordination, mismanagement
In a report by Tinig ng Plaridel, official student publication of the UP College of Mass Communication, the Fighting Maroons sent a letter to UP Diliman Chancellor Dr. Fidel Nemenzo last January, stating their request to reinstate ntgbUP as manager of the women's volleyball program, like in Season 81 and 82.
The same group was instrumental in providing support for the UP men's basketball team, leading to their rise and eventual Season 84 championship.
Villamil, according to the players, has been "ignoring basic needs" and "neglecting injuries." They also complained of "power tripping" by the team manager.
The student-athletes pointed out that Villamil is not the right person for the job given her credentials.
"Villamil is also a student, and we believe she does not have the qualifications to manage us. She does not have any corporate or professional work experience to merit such an appointment,” the Plaridel report quoted.
Most of the players' complaints had to do with financial support.
They said monthly allowances have been delayed and reduced since January 2022. Their unsettled dormitory balance reached P600,000.
Players also reported receiving small servings of food without packaging and utensils.
COVID-19 related expenses during the Season 84 bubble were also reportedly not reimbursed. Players who exhibited symptoms were allegedly still allowed to play and no test kits were provided.
The squad also complained of lack of support and communication in academics, leading to ineligibilities, underloads in subjects, and receiving reports of Absence Without Leave (AWOL) from professors.
Villamil was also said to have had a hand in coaching decisions.
Who will oversee the student-athletes of UP?
On March 2, ntgbUP released a statement, calling on university officials to provide the CHK with assistance to utilize funds secured for the WVT.
The timing of the statement was significant in two ways.
First, the Fighting Maroons had just absorbed their second straight loss—a straight set beating from the De La Salle Lady Spikers.
Second, outgoing chancellor Nemenzo on February 28 launched the UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development (OASD), which would be tasked to oversee the university's over 1,000 student-athletes. This would relieve the CHK of duties of handling the varsity sports program.
But Nemenzo reportedly appointed CHK Dean Francis Diaz as interim director before his last day in office on March 1.
On Wednesday, UP had to belie those reports and clarified that no recommendation was forwarded to the Office of the President regarding appointments to the position.
According to UP Vice President for Legal Affairs Abraham Rey Acosta, the chancellor can only make a recommendation and it is the president who will decide on the appointment of the OASD director.
"In the meantime, the University will continue to work with the varsity teams and various support groups to address the concerns and needs of our athletes," Acosta said.
So where does that leave the UP WVT?
Eva explained that after the Fighting Maroons sent the letter last January, the foundation passed a resolution to provide the team with funds. They were also invited by the squad to a dialogue with Nemenzo and the CHK on February 1 to talk about their concerns, especially with funding.
But their request to have ntgbUP reinstated was not granted.
"Though the CHK and Office of the Diliman Chancellor gave assurances that they would study and address the players' concerns regarding their team manager," Eva said.
The foundation's pooled fund for the squad though has already been approved for release.
"We are currently working with the senior members of the UP WVT to determine the manner in which the funds can be turned over to them and used to benefit the WVT."
The next day, CHK released its own statement, acknowledging the concerns of the squad.
"Our team coaches and management staff are also all in with their desire to excel and bring honor to the University," they said, vowing to continue with ntgbUP and other groups who are supporting the athletes.
"In the same breath, we—the UP Varsity Sports Office and staff and the College of Human Kinetics—remain steadfast in our commitment to lift our varsity teams," the CHK added. "It takes a village to raise a team."
"We will do our respective parts to lift up our men's and women's volleyball teams and all our varsity teams as we jointly commit to honor and excellent," they said. "We have shown this with the recent success of our men's basketball team and we aim to replicate this with all our varsity teams."