UAAP not relaxing rules for PBA draft

Stars of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) will have to choose between their commitment with their schools or a career as pros if they want to join the forthcoming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft.

The UAAP, according to Season 68 president Fr. Maximino Rendon of general host Adamson, could not relax its norms covering the status of its athletes, especially in men’s basketball.

"Amendments to rules and regulations are done only in our April board meeting, not anytime in the season," said Rendon yesterday.

PBA commissioner Noli Eala requested the collegiate league four days ago to relax its rules on eligibility so that its players could apply for the Draft. The PBA has set a July 15 deadline of application for the 2005-2006 season Draft, which is set for Aug. 15.

Among the UAAP stars believed to be sought for the draft are Ateneo’s LA Tenorio and Far Eastern U’s Arwind Santos, the Season 67 Most Valuable Player. De La Salle’s Mark Cardona has decided to forego his last eligible year in the UAAP and will go for the draft.

Rendon and Dr. Ricardo Matibag, also of Adamson and the season’s secretary-treasurer, meanwhile, expect a blockbuster first two days of the UAAP, the country’s most prestigious school league which now owns the reputation of filling the cavernous Araneta Coliseum to the rafters.

The league opens July 9 with the host Falcons preparing a modest ceremony under the theme SOAR (See Our Student Athletes Rise) Higher. On July 10 also at the Big Dome, it will be another classic showdown at 4 p.m. between defending champion De La Salle, with the Eagles coming in under new coach Norman Black and the Green Archers playing minus Cardona.

Women’s basketball also starts July 10, while volleyball matches at the University of the Philippines gym in Diliman kick off July 17. Adamson battles National U at 8:30 a.m., UP takes on UST at 9:30, UE meets Ateneo at 1 p.m. and defending titlist FEU tackles De La Salle at 2 in the men’s volleyball contest.

In women’s volleyball action, it will be UP vs NU at 8:30, Ateneo vs Adamson at 9:30, FEU vs UST at 1 and De La Salle vs UE at 2. Opening rites will be scheduled at 12 noon.

Also scheduled in the first semester of the season are chess, swimming and table tennis as well as the cheer-dance competition in September.