UAAP 'politely declines' PBA request to allow its student-athletes to join draft and keep eligibility

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) said it has declined the Philippine Basketball Association's (PBA) request to allow its student-athletes to keep their collegiate eligibility while also applying for the PBA Rookie Draft.

Based on league rules, student-athletes will forfeit their eligibility once they apply for the Draft.

For UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rene Andrei 'Rebo' Saguisag, allowing that will have implications to all sporting programs of the league.

"We know the merit and advantages that it will grant the student-athletes. However, 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," Saguisag told reporters on Wednesday.

"So may implication siya, hindi siya basta-basta. 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."

[So it has implications, it's not just a snap decision. We have to politely decline at least for this season the request to allow the players to join the draft in the midst or actually even before the basketball season begins. It will have a lot of implications.]

This does not mean, however, that the UAAP is not allowing student-athletes to apply for the draft, the deadline of which is set for this Friday.

"Of course, they can be drafted. It’s their choice. But they have to make a choice, they’ll forego their eligibility. Ganun 'yung mangyayari. Wala kaming binabawalan," Saguisag said.

"It's just that our rule is right now, if you join the draft, you forego your eligibility."

[Of course, they can be drafted. It's their choice. But they have to make a choice, they'll forego their eligibility. That's what will happen. No one's not allowed... It's just that our rule is right now, if you join the draft, you forego your eligibility.]

Saguisag, however, said the league has referred it to a committee to study the implications of applying for the draft while the season is ongoing.

Months ago, NU's Alyssa Solomon had her name listed as part of the the Korean Volleyball Association Asia Quota draft. After she withdrew her application, the league deemed that the NU player continued to be eligible to play during the then-ongoing tournament.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News

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