Imports to stay in UAAP

While the NCAA is slowly getting rid of imports, the UAAP appears to be taking the opposite direction. The word is the UAAP will continue to allow the recruitment of imports indefinitely but with the same stipulation that only one may play at a time if a team enlists two. Another stipulation is an import must establish a two-residence in the school, otherwise known as the Ben Mbala rule.

The eligibility rule used to be that an import must establish a two-residence in the country. In Mbala’s case, he spent a year at Southwestern University in Cebu before transferring to La Salle. Under the old rule, Mbala would’ve sat out just one year to gain eligibility as an Archer, counting his previous year in Cebu. But the UAAP Board decided to hit Mbala with immediate effectivity of the two-year requirement in the school. The practice used to be that a new rule would be effective after a year. That tradition went out the window as quickly as anyone could say Jerie Pingoy.

The Mbala rule was perceived to be a retaliation for the Pingoy rule which requires a fresh high school graduate transferring to a rival UAAP school to establish a two-year residence if not granted a release. The previous requirement was a one-year residence. As in Mbala’s case, the new rule was made effective immediately. The consolation is the period of residence is not counted against playing years of eligibility.

Reacting to the Pingoy rule which happens to be in violation of a human right, Sen. Pia Cayetano filed a bill early this year protecting a fresh high school graduate’s option to choose which college or university to enroll without restriction. Sen. Cayetano’s bill will eventually become law and anticipating this development, the UAAP Board is likely to lift the two-year residence for transferring high school graduates. Pingoy, however, will have served two years of residence by the time the sit-out rule is scratched so he goes down in history as a victim of UAAP politics. The restriction on imports will not be affected by the abolition of the Pingoy rule. Imports are not protected by the Philippine Constitution.

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According to a UAAP Board member, the two-year residence imposed on imports may be served in high school. Under the UAAP rule, an import who enrolls to play for a high school must also establish a two-year residence. If an import establishes a two-year residence in high school and graduates, he is eligible to play in the UAAP seniors outright.

Another rule that may soon be implemented in the UAAP is for transferees to serve only a one-year residence instead of two with or without a release. This will apply to an athlete shifting from one UAAP school to another while in seniors competition. Under the old rule, a two-year residence is required of a player without a release. In Fonzo Gotladera’s case, the center was released by La Salle so he underwent just a one-year residence at Ateneo for two seasons of eligibility. Without a release, he would’ve sat out two years and had only one season of eligibility with the Blue Eagles. The period of residency in a transferee’s case is counted against playing years of eligibility.

Regarding expansion, the scuttlebutt is the UAAP is not opening its doors to new schools because it will mean a longer season which translates into less academic room for athletes. The last time a school inquired about joining the UAAP was four years ago when San Beda College considered it. A UAAP Board member said San Beda will need to become a university before applying to join the league.

There are other proposed rules supposed to be discussed. One involves player endorsements and dealing with agents. The UAAP is inclined to prohibit athletes to sign endorsement contracts until they reach their junior year. As for agents, they could be restricted in representing athletes only on matters unrelated to sports. Agents will likely not be allowed to represent athletes in deciding which school to enroll in.

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In the US, high school and collegiate athletes are barred from being represented by agents of any kind. Individual athletes are not allowed to endorse products throughout their entire varsity career. LeBron James was suspended as a high school player when it was discovered he was given shirts by a sports store for posing in front of its display window. That’s how strict the US is in preventing the commercialization of the high school and collegiate ranks. In contrast, it’s all systems go in the Philippines. Varsity athletes openly endorse products and receive money for their services. Agents are unrestrained in representing athletes, some even in high school to prepare for negotiations to go to college or university. The situation has clearly gotten out of hand as some high school and collegiate players are effectively professionals with contracts.

Another proposed rule is the medical redshirt clause where a player who suffers a season-ending injury after playing less than a third of the schedule is allowed an extra year if he is in his last season of eligibility. In the US, the extra year is allowed regardless of whether the injured player is in his first or last year of eligibility. The difference is in the US NCAA, a player has four years of eligibility. In the UAAP, a player has five years of eligibility.

Perhaps, the UAAP should also revisit its policy on determining eligibility for Rookie of the Year. The so-called Jai Reyes rule strikes out from contention any Fil-foreigner or any player who redshirted. The rule is clearly discriminatory. Under the rule, only fresh high school graduates moving straight to the UAAP seniors are eligible for the honor. Wouldn’t it be anomalous if a Fil-foreign or import rookie has an outstanding season and isn’t recognized because of the prohibition and the honor goes to someone who is far below his caliber? Why not allow all rookies, regardless of background, to be eligible for the honor but must be 20 years old or less? That will eliminate “veterans” who enter the league at a late age transferring from another school and contending for “rookie” honors.