ARE player agents making money out of several player transfers in the NCAA and UAAP?
This was the question posed by an insider in one of the leagues, who said the recent player movements in both leagues are being linked to the presence of managers or player agents.
Both leagues currently do not prohibit players either from college or high school from hooking up with agents.
The insider told Malaya-Business Insight that players having managers should be just fine but when these “agents” make money out of the players moving to other schools, there could be a problem.
“Having a player agent per se is not bad, but when student athletes are being exploited by agents to make money, that’s the problem,” the insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
“Most of the player transfers are results of the pandemic. (The) rich get richer, poor get poorer, unfortunately.”
Former National University gunner Dave Ildefonso left the Bulldogs last January and returned to Ateneo, where he suited up in high school; while ace playmaker Evan Nelle transferred from San Beda University to La Salle also last January.
After the alleged training bubble held by University of Santo Tomas at the hometown of former coach Aldin Ayo in Capuy, Sorsogon City from mid-June to August was pricked, eight UST players packed their bags.
CJ Cansino, the former Growling Tigers captain who said he was kicked out of the team due to “defiance of authority,” together with former Tiger Cubs standout Bismarck Lina, moved to University of the Philippines; reigning Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy and guard Deo Cuajao to La Salle; high-flying forward Rhenz Abando, guard Brent Paraiso, and big man Ira Bataller to defending NCAA champion Letran; and backup guard Jun Asuncion to Mapua University.
The source said it’s possible that student-athletes are being used by their managers to make easy money.
“It’s possible. I’m sure some of it is true,” said the insider.
