NCAA imposes residency for PEPTCR holders

Players with Philippine Educational Placement (PEP) test certificate results will still have to complete a one-year residency from their respective schools before they could play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament.

This was the new rule approved by the league’s Management Committee (Mancom) in a three-day workshop and seminar held at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone last week.

"This is important to give the school time to check the authenticity of the PEPTCR results," said Mancom chair Fr. Vic Calvo, OP of Letran College.

"At first, some board members wanted to reject PEPTCR takers outright," he added. "But they relented after our deliberation because we don’t want to discriminate."

"We can not just reject players who passed the PEPTCR because it’s a government documentation, said St. Benilde board representative Bernie Atienza.

But he clarified that St. Benilde, next year’s host, has no official position on the matter yet.

"I still have to consult with my superiors. It’s just my opinion," said Atienza.

The Mancom will resume its deliberation on the matter on Nov. 10 in Letran for the final approval of the league policy board headed by NCAA president Fr. Edwin Lao, OP also of Letran.