Quo vadis, B.J.?

La Salle guard B. J. Manalo has a year of varsity eligibility left in his University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) seniors basketball career. And it’s not certain if Manalo–who has played four years for the Archers–will be back in a green uniform this season.

Under UAAP rules, a player has five seasons of eligibility within a seven-year period. Manalo has seen action in four years for La Salle. He was in the lineup of three championship teams. The crack guard sat out last campaign due to injury.

Manalo, 23, has earned an undergraduate degree at La Salle so his academic obligations are over. If he decides to play for another school, Manalo can jump without establishing residency and suit up immediately. That’s because he’s already graduated from his original school. The only requirement is Manalo must enroll in a school–any school–if he intends to play his final year of UAAP eligibility.

For the record, Manalo is not enrolled in any school at the moment. He has flatly denied enrolling in a Master’s program at Ateneo. Blue Eagles team manager Monchito Mossessgeld confirmed to The Star yesterday that Manalo is not enrolled in the Loyola school.

There is widespread speculation that Manalo will play his final year of UAAP eligibility for Ateneo. He was on the Ateneo juniors squad before transferring to La Salle. Manalo is seeing action for the Lee Pipes-Ateneo entry in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) Unity Cup starting late this month.

Mossessgeld said the Lee Pipes-Ateneo roster lists nine Eagles playing in the UAAP, two former Eagles–Andrew Cruz and Cris Quimpo–plus Marlon Basco, Nino Gelig and Manalo. Basco is a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) veteran and Gelig, who was drafted this year from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), is a Talk ‘N’ Text practice player.

"I don’t know B. J.’s plans," said Mossessgeld. "If ever he decides to enroll at Ateneo, we will seriously consider taking him for our team. But I don’t think he has made up his mind. His priority is to make a good showing in the PBL because he’s looking forward to the PBA draft next year. Before joining our practice, B. J. sought clearance from ICTSI-La Salle which is not playing in the Unity Cup. I’ve confirmed that he got permission from La Salle to join us in the PBL."

La Salle Alumni Association president Lito Tanjuatco said since ICTSI-La Salle is taking a leave from the PBL, Manalo was cleared to join another team. Tanjuatco mentioned that Manalo practiced with two other PBL clubs before deciding which team to join.

It was rumored that when Manalo showed up at a Sunkist-UST practice, he was asked to play for the Growling Tigers in the UAAP this season.

Theoretically, Manalo is free to play for whatever UAAP school he chooses. He is not bound to La Salle.

During Manalo’s stay at La Salle, he suffered a series of injuries. He took several trips to the US for diagnosis and treatment. Archers team manager Terry Capistrano, booster Johnny Valdes and other alumni combined resources to take care of Manalo’s rehab expenses here and abroad. Last year, Manalo tore a ligament in the knee and alumni footed the bills once more. Now, he’s as good as new and raring to play.

"B. J. is a fine example of a student athlete," said Tanjuatco. "He played on three championship teams and earned his La Salle degree. He’s at the point in his life where he’s thinking of a professional basketball career. The PBL is where he can get exposure and training for the pros. He has his La Sallian education and we know that wherever he goes, he will always be a La Salle Christian gentleman."

Tanjuatco said Manalo has up to May to decide if he will enroll to play out his final year of UAAP eligibility. Mossessgeld said Ateneo classes in the Master’s program begin in June. Players must be listed in UAAP rosters a month before the season opens.

An independent source said Manalo is not likely to return to La Salle because of a falling out with coach Franz Pumaren. "If B. J. wants playing time so he can prove himself and enhance his chances for the PBA draft, I’m not sure if he can get a commitment from Franz or from any other coach," said the source. "B. J. has an agent, Dondon Monteverde, and he’s not being managed by Mike Gonzalez who’s a La Salle alumnus and a close Pumaren family friend."

But a La Salle insider said Manalo is keeping an open mind and isn’t closed to the idea of making an Archer’s comeback.

"Whatever is his decision, we will respect," said Tanjuatco. Mossessgeld echoed Tanjuatco’s sentiments.

Who knows? Maybe, in the end, Manalo will play for neither La Salle nor Ateneo. He could pull a surprise and shock us all.