By MARK REY MONTEJO
The UAAP has formally declined the request made by the PBA to allow players from their member schools to apply for the upcoming rookie draft while they are still playing for one more year in the collegiate league.
Executive director Rebo Saguisag said the league cannot make sudden decisions regarding the matter as it will also have implications to other sports.
The top executive, however, isn’t entirely closing the door on possible rule changes in the future.
“We know the merit and the advantages that it’ll grant the student-athletes. However, when you make a decision it’s not only in [one] sport or division,” said Saguisag during UST’s hosting press conference at Dr. Robert Sy Grand Ballroom of the UST Paredes Building Wednesday morning, Aug. 27.
“It’s for the whole sporting program of all events, so may implications, ‘di sya basta-basta, so we have to politely decline at least for this season,” he added.
Saguisag added that the PBA led by commissioner Willie Marcial understood the position of the UAAP.
“Medyo marami syang implications eh, even to our recent rulings, diba? Syempre medyo maapektuhan ‘yon. So, kailangan, careful study with all the implications, not only in basketball, but in all sporting events, in the future… they understood naman our position,” he added.
The ruling was implemented in 2013 after several cagers inserted their names in the PBA draft despite the UAAP season still going.
Saguisag, however, clarified that players are not barred from joining the draft though doing such would mean that they are foregoing their eligibility for the upcoming Season 88.
The decision meant that current UAAP one-and-done and graduating players like Mike Phillips, Jake Figueroa, Forth Padrigao, and Ced Manzano would have to skip this year’s draft which will happen on Sept. 7 at the Mall of Asia Music Hall, if they wish to still play in the UAAP.
