The UAAP has politely declined the invitation of the PBA to have their student-athletes apply in the upcoming Season 50 Rookie Draft on September 7.
Consistency is a “Must” and the Effect in Other Sports
A couple of days ago, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial sent a formal invitation to the officials of UAAP, asking their student-athletes to apply in the rookie draft even before the UAAP Season 88 begins.
In response, UAAP Executive Director Rebo Saguisag has given his answer to the media, citing that this sudden change will have an impact on other sporting events aside from basketball, and consistency in their rules should always be implemented.
“Kailangan, careful studying with all the implications not only for basketball, but for all sporting events in the future tsaka pati yung most recent ones. Kailangan consistent siya in all our regulations. We had to decline for this season. ‘Di mapagbibigyan this season before the basketball season begins.”
“Yun na nga, when we make that decision kasi, it’s not per sport or per division. It’s for the whole sporting program of all events. So may implication siya, hindi siya basta-basta,.”
Rev. Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP, UAAP Board of Managing Directors President, also shared his thoughts about the invitation from the PBA.
“This is a policy issue that has an effect on other sports,” he said.
“Once we decide on something, it has an effect. So we need time to discuss more about this proposal moving forward.”
PBA Commissioner Understands the Decision
After receiving the formal decline of his invitation, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial understood and respected the decision made by the UAAP Board of Officials and Directors.
“Naiintindihan namin ang kanilang naging desisyon,” he told Tiebreaker Times, last Wednesday, August 27.
“Nagpapasalamat pa rin kami sa kanilang oras.”
Perhaps the Request will have a “Greenlight” come Season 51?
Despite the declining invitation for this year, Executive Director Saguisag has not ruled out the possibility of granting the PBA’s request come 2026, which would be in Season 51.
“We have to politely decline at least for this season na hindi namin mapagbibigyan yung request na magpa-draft yung players in the midst, or actually even before the basketball season begins. Medyo marami siyang implications ‘eh,
Rev. Fr. Rodel Cansancio doubled down on this change of UAAP rules coming next year.
“We need time to discuss more about this proposal moving forward. So on the part of UAAP, our Sports Eligibility Committee is now studying this proposal.”
Hot Take: The UAAP Shouldn’t Change Its Rules
With the invitation not having an approval, the UAAP should stand firm with their rules and policies and not allow their student-athletes to apply in the PBA Draft even before their players graduate.
Not only will the “talent level” in the collegiate league be drastically depleted, but this will also greatly affect the students’ education as they would become “professional athletes” at a very young age.
Aside from the sport of basketball, college players will also apply to become a “pro” in other sports. But shouldn’t they prioritize getting their DIPLOMAS and COLLEGE DEGREES first?
After all, that’s the reason why they became A STUDENT and applied to be IN THE UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES OF UAAP.
