Player agent tells story behind story

(Last of two parts)

Then he will ask for your scholastic records, have them checked by their school registrar. And if the records show that you have failing grades, he might ask "What do we do now? It’s a pity because he’s a very good player."

So the most logical solution is to get the PEP test.

There should be no problem if he passes. But if he fails, then they start looking for another solution.

Then people will start to move. It will probably start with some dinner and later on some monetary favors from P5,000 to P10,000. And you get a passing grade.

But it doesn’t mean that those helping the schools are the ones demanding the money. It’s more like a gift.

Besides, you’re just talking basketball and not really like there’s a crime that’s going to be committed.

Star: Does this happen in the other leagues? Like the NCAA?

PA: "It’s the same thing in the NCAA. It’s the same thing.

Star: What about the La Salle investigation? Is it going anywhere?

PA: I don’t think it’s that slow. The problem is they really have to talk to every person that might be involved in this. From the players to the members of the coaching staff if indeed they have knowledge of it. But if the committee pushes the player against the wall, he might spill the beans. Once he is told that he has a liability then it might scare him and then he will tell everything he knows.

Then everybody involved should resign. Just out of delicadeza they should resign because they’ve done a great disservice to the school and to the league. If in the government you are not allowed to cheat, then by doing this you are trying to emphasize cheating, too. But cheating in our country is everywhere. Even those applying for jobs but with no complete school records can buy transcripts or even diplomas.

If the coach knew about it, he should resign, too. I think the La Salle committee is trying to sanitize everything before coming out with its findings. If they don’t they may end up fighting each other. They should come up with just one word. Once the names of all those who are liable come out, then the investigation moves slower.

Star: Why do schools do it?

PA: The problem in the UAAP is that everybody is so emotional. When a team gets in the losing end of things, and then it discovers something irregular against the other, then expect an issue to come out.

The problem with ineligible players only comes out if the player turns out to be good. Otherwise, nobody will notice and nobody would care about it. It happened to UE in the early ‘90s when Wowie Ybanez played in the UAAP despite the fact that he had seen action in a commercial league in Bacolod. And it’s against UAAP rules.

Almost everybody knew of it beforehand. But when UE went on a 4-0 start, then the issue came out. Ybanez, who turned out to be very good, was banned from the league and all four UE victories were forfeited and awarded to their opponents.

Star: And the solution?

PA: If the player you discover have yet to finish high school, then enroll him in your high school. Don’t force things. But you can try the PEP test first and if he passes, then it’s on to college for residency.

The schools must sacrifice first.

Star: Do you think La Salle should be banned for next year?

PA: I can’t read the minds of the UAAP board. But if only Ateneo will make the decision then La Salle will surely be banned.

Star: Should La Salle return the trophy?

PA: I think so. It won’t look good if the UAAP only declares 2004 as a vacant year with no champion. Even in beauty contests, the rules state that in case the winner cannot fulfill her duties and obligations, then the first runner-up takes over.