Pido proposes Fil-fors limit in UAAP

MANILA, Philippines — It’s not a formal proposal yet but newly-reinstated UST men’s basketball head coach Pido Jarencio recently suggested a limit of five Fil-foreigners for every team in the UAAP to allow homegrown players the chance to fill in the 10 remaining slots on the roster with an “import” claiming another spot.

Jarencio isn’t against recruiting foreign student athletes and said it’s a way to balance the competition in the league. He described an import as a “game changer” who can turn a team into an instant contender. In the NCAA, the league has disallowed the recruitment of imports. The recent proliferation of Fil-foreigners in the UAAP has shifted the focus of scouting to countries all over the world. Among the Fil-foreign players in the league last season were Chris Koon, Kai Balungay, Michael and Ben Phillips, Luis Villegas, Deschon Winston, Zavier Lucero, James Spencer, Kyle Paranada and Matthew Daves. More Fil-foreigners are joining the ranks this campaign, including DJ Mitchell, Chase Lane, Kyle Gamber, Isaiah Phillips and Jaren Brown.

“Maraming schools ‘di kayang makipagsabayan sa recruitment ng big schools like Ateneo, UP, NU at La Salle,” said Jarencio. “Sa PBA, may limit ng limang Fil-foreigners bawa’t team. May dahilan kung bakit may limit. Ganoon din sana sa UAAP.” Jarencio said the movement of players from one school to another can’t be stopped. “Kung ako lang, ‘di ko pipigilin ang players na lumipat, karapatan nila ‘yan,” he continued. Before releasing a player leaving to enroll elsewhere, Jarencio said he’ll ask for a written explanation to protect the integrity of the school. “Huwag sana lumipat dahil sa better offer,” he said. Piracy is a looming irritant in the league and a cause for a major strain in relationships involving players, coaches and school officials.

Jarencio said he didn’t hesitate to accept the UST post. “Ang puso ko nasa UST,” said Jarencio who coached the Tigers from 2006 to 2013 before moving full-time to the PBA. “More challenging to coach sa PBA pero more fun sa UAAP. Kulelat kami last season at isa lang panalo namin. Babangon kami unti-unti. Happy na kami kung maka two wins this season pero may tsamba ang basketball kaya ‘di natin masasabi kung anong mangyayari.” Jarencio led UST to six Final Fours in eight seasons with a championship in 2006.