THEY have to make a decision.
The UAAP yesterday said it’s status quo for its players who want to apply for the annual PBA rookie Draft next month—they have to finish the coming 88th season—or they can join the proceedings but lose their eligibility.
“I think the rationale, again, we know the merit and advantages that it will grant the student-athletes. However, iyon na nga, when we make that decision, it’s not per sport or per division. It’s for the whole sporting program of all events,” UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag said yesterday during the season launch at the Dr. Robert Sy Grand Ballroom of the Blessed Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building at the University of Santo Tomas.
“So, may implication siya, hindi siya basta-basta. So, we have to politely decline at least for this season na hindi namin mapagbibigyan iyong request na magpa-draft iyong players in the midst, or actually even before the basketball season begins.
“Medyo marami siyang implications and even to our most recent rulings, siyempre, maapektuhan niya. So kailangan, careful studying with all the implications not only for basketball, but for all sporting events in the future, pati iyong most recent ones. Kailangan consistent siya in all our regulations. So, they understood naman. Comm Willie (Marcial) understood naman our position,” he added.
The PBA has requested the country’s premier collegiate league to reconsider its long-standing ruling that prohibits UAAP players from participating in the Draft while the season is ongoing.
Set to be hosted by UST, the new UAAP cage wars is slated to kick off on Sept. 19. The PBA Draft will be held on Sept. 7 at the Music Hall of the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay.
Foremost among the UAAP stars seen to draw interest from pro league teams include the likes of Growling Tigers Nic Cabanero and Forthsky Padrigao, La Salle’s Mike Phillips, John Abate of University of the East, Adamson’s Cedric Manzano, Jake Figueroa of National University, Ateneo’s Kymani Ladi and Dom Escobar, and University of the Philippines’ Terrence Fortea, Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Janjan Felicilda, and Reyland Torres.
Saguisag maintained that the choice is for them to make.
“Of course, they can be drafted. It’s their choice. But they have to make a choice. They’ll forego their eligibility. Ganoon ang mangyayari. Wala kaming binabawalan. It’s just that our rule right now, if you join the draft, you forego your eligibility. The request is pagbigyan for the season. Medyo malapit na kasi. Again, mayroon siyang epekto,” Saguisag said. “Marami siyang epekto, rather, sa ibang sporting events namin so hindi siya mapagbibigyan muna at least for this season.
“But we committed na i-defer namin sa committee for a really deep study on all its implications across all our sporting events. Mga 20 iyon, ‘di ba? 20 sporting events.”
