MANILA, Philippines – The recent high-profile transfers prompted the UAAP to enforce new eligibility rules.
Under the new rule, a UAAP student-athlete who transfers to another member school at the collegiate level will have one year of eligibility deducted. This will be on top of the existing one-year residency rule for transferees.
Essentially, the new rule deducts two years from the transferee’s eligibility to play in the league.
So for instance, Mason Amos — the 6-foot-7 standout who transferred from Ateneo to La Salle last July — will serve a one-year residency this season.
The Filipino-Australian big man, who starred right on his rookie year with the Blue Eagles, will then be eligible to play for the Green Archers next season. But, he will only have a maximum of two playing years.
Prior to the rule, Amos could have played until 2027 for La Salle.
UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag said it will be an “internal” rule, meaning, transferees from the NCAA and other collegiate leagues won’t be affected.
It also doesn’t cover high school players and incoming college freshmen like Jared Bahay, the Ateneo freshman who initially committed to play for UP after his juniors stint in Cebu.
The new rule took effect at the start of the 2024-2025 school year and covers all collegiate sports.
“Inasmuch as we protect, we guarantee the protection of the rights of each and every student-athlete, we have to balance that with other interests. I’m talking about the member-schools per se and the UAAP as a collective,” said Saguisag.
“There are three parties concerned here that we need to balance – [the schools’] interests because at the end of the day, a better member-school will lead to a better UAAP which leads to a better environment for the student-athlete.”
Three months ago, however, Senator Pia Cayetano urged the UAAP to “reconsider” the new eligibility rule.
Saguisag said the UAAP is willing to defend its new rule before the Senate if the upper chamber decides, in aid of legislation, to tackle the issue.
“We’re ready to defend if called upon. Allow me to state, however, that that is the beauty and gift of democracy, everybody has their own views and their own perspective, and we understand and respect where she’s coming from,” Saguisag said during the league’s press conference on Wednesday, September 4, at Novotel.
“However, let me state for the record that all of us in this room, the welfare and interest of each and every student-athlete is of paramount importance… There’s no question about that,” he added.
“We all agree on that, and that’s the most important thing.”
Season 87 kicks off this Saturday, September 7, with Filipino rock band legend Eraserheads performing during the opening ceremony at the Araneta Coliseum at 11 am.
Tickets for the show will be sold separately from the 6:30 pm game between the UP Fighting Maroons and the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Other matchup highlights include the September 15 showdown between rivals Ateneo and La Salle at 6:30 pm at the Mall of Asia Arena, and the finals rematch of UP and La Salle to close out the first round on October 6, 6:30 pm, also at the MOA Arena
Check the first-round schedule of the men’s basketball tournament, as well as the women’s and junior high school basketball slate here: Game schedule, standings: UAAP Season 87 basketball tournaments
— Rappler.com
