The National Collegiate Athletic Association yesterday announced it would implement a new rule barring participating schools from fielding in more than two foreign players.
NCAA president Dr. Vince Fabella of Jose Rizal yesterday said the new rule was approved unanimously as early as November last year.
“Starting this season, the NCAA will allow a maximum of two foreign players per school and will be allowed to play one at a time. That was voted unanimously,” said Fabella.
Fabella made the announcement in yesterday’s official turnover rights of the hosting of Season 84 at the Casa Español in Manila where he formally relinquished the presidency to Dr. Reynaldo Vea of Mapua.
The recent move was reportedly done to level the playing field since reigning back-to-back champion San Beda has already set a precedent of fielding in two Nigerian players—2006 NCAA rookie MVP Sam Ekwe and up-and-coming rookie Emeka Udo.
While implementing a new rule, the league failed to enforce its “general consensus” reportedly set to suspend Philippine Christian U for another year after more high school players were found to have violated eligibility rules.
Fabella said they deferred any final decision on the PCU issue pending a meeting with PCU president and policy board member Oscar Suarez, who failed to attend yesterday’s meeting.
The NCAA would meet again on April 18, the same day they are expected to render a decision.
“There is still something that we have to validate and some members wanted to make sure about it. Everything is still under evaluation because we wanted everything to be fair to everyone,” said Fabella. – Joey Villar