AFTER the eligibility of players who suit up in the pros via the special guest license from the Games and Amusements Board was thoroughly tackled by the Management Committee in a meeting last Thursday, the league’s Policy Board will come up with a decision next week.
There is already a recommendation to the Policy Board, composed of the member schools’ presidents and owners, to approve the set-up.
A highly-reliable Malaya-Business Insight source admitted it is a pressing issue.
“The ManCom discussed the effects of the GAB-PSC joint resolution 2020-001 and its effects on the players as far as eligibility is concerned,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
“The advantages and disadvantages and the benefits of the student-athletes were all considered. They (Policy Board) will come up with a ruling,” the source added.
Initially, ManCom members did not mind the eligibility issue, but changed their mind after the meeting.
“Noong una, early last week, nasabi na sa kanila na kapag lumaro diyan ang mga player ng NCAA, professional iyan, hindi nila inintindi,” the source said.
“Pero noong Thursday, siguro nagising sila. Actually, sa meeting halos iyon lang (eligibility) ang napag-usapan.”
GAB chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra explained last Oct. 27, during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum, that in the absence of collegiate leagues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the GAB has offered “special guest licenses” for student-athletes to enable them to have brief stints in pro leagues.
University of the Philippines prized playmaker Juan Gomez de Liaño suited up for Nueva Ecija in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup, a pro league, after he was given a special guest license by the GAB, and put to risk his remaining two years of eligibility for the Fighting Maroons in the UAAP.
There were two NCAA member schools that asked if their players would be allowed to play in the Chooks-to-Go 3×3 tilt but opted not to push through with their plans so as not to risk the players’ eligibility.
The country’s oldest collegiate league intends to launch its 96th season, set to be hosted by Letran, early next year.
