UAAP allows UP tanker to swim

MANILA, Philippines - The UAAP yesterday said in compliance with a court order, it is not standing in the way of University of the Philippines’ rookie swimmer Mikee Bartolome as she bids to suit up for the five-peat-seeking Lady Maroons in the Season 76 competitions beginning Sept. 19 at Trace Los Baños.

Bartolome had secured a 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) last Tuesday ordering the UAAP to “cease and desist from imposing the two-year residency rule” and allow her “to be eligible in the UP swimming lineup.”

Armed with the TRO from Quezon City RTC Branch 226 Judge Manuel Sta. Cruz, the Lady Maroons fielded the former junior standout from Santo Tomas high school in the roster it submitted to the UAAP’s eligibility committee yesterday and got the green light.

“She (Bartolome) is on the UP swim lineup. No choice but again respect TRO or else ma-contempt kami (We have no choice but to respect the TRO and accept her in the lineup or we risk contempt of court),” UAAP Season 76 secretary-treasurer Ma. Luisa Isip said yesterday.

Isip earlier stated the league will comply with ruling but then hinted that the old residency rule of one-year in the absence of a “release” from the mother high school might be applied with the controversial two-year rule on hold. Apparently, the league had a change of heart and decided to accept the 17-year-old tanker in the UP squad. – Olmin Leyba