UAAP reviews residency rule

MANILA, Philippines - The UAAP is gearing up for a “massive” amendment of its rules over the next two seasons, possibly including the controversial two-year residency requirement that has drawn flak from various sectors.

According to UAAP Season 77 secretary-treasurer Rod Roque of University of the East, the league has gone over its policies and found the need for a lot of changes. The proposed amendments have been submitted to the presidents of the eight member universities for final approval.

“Eighty percent of our rules, including residency, foreign players, playing years, the K+12 system, eligibility requirements and game protests, are up for amendment,” Roque said during yesterday’s PSA Forum.

“And I assure you it will be for the better,” he added.

The league has received criticisms on some of its rules, particularly the required two years for high school graduates who transfer to another UAAP school and couldn’t get clearance from their mother schools. A swimmer from University of the Philippines got a TRO against the said rule last year while Sen. Pia Cayetano has filed a bill creating a “Magna Carta” for students which seeks to outlaw the controversial residency rule.

There are talks the UAAP might revert to its old one-year residency policy or scrap the rule altogether but Roque declined to comment. He hinted, though, that a change “acceptable” to all is forthcoming.

“I told the staff of Sen. Cayetano during our last meeting that we’ve amended our rules and regulations and I know when she learns about it, she’ll be happy,” he said.

The league is also considering to go “all-Filipino” by Season 78. At present, teams are allowed to line up two foreigners but only one at a time can be fielded in.

“What we’re looking into is we’re trying to stop the recruitment of foreign players. Eventually, there will be no foreign players in the UAAP,” said Roque.

Another proposed amendment is giving the commissioner the “final say” on game issues/protests. Currently, teams are allowed to elevate the matter to the board, which could overturn the commissioner.

“That’s the reason you hire a commissioner - to take care of the rules and regulations of the game, everything pertaining to the game,” he said, adding there’s a proposal to give the commissioner a fixed term of a maximum of three years.

The league has already chosen a basketball chief but Roque refused to name him pending approval from the board.

The UAAP likewise okayed the proposal to switch the schedules of juniors basketball and juniors volleyball. High school hoops will now be held in the second semester while secondary volleyball will take place in the first sem.

When the K+12 curriculum is fully implemented in 2016, the UAAP will also adjust the eligibility of high school athletes. By then, Roque said playing year of affected athletes will start at Grade 8 and they will have five playing years.

Meanwhile, Season 77 will blast off on July 12 at the Big Dome with host UE taking on University of the Philippines at 2 p.m. and La Salle kicking off its title defense against Far Eastern at 4 p.m. An “out-of-this-world”-themed opening ceremonies choreographed by Gener Caringal will be held at 12 noon.

The rest of the teams debut next day in the same venue, with Adamson against Ateneo in the first game and National U versus Santo Tomas in the main setto.

The much-awaited Ateneo-La Salle showdown will happen on July 19 while the first meeting between last year’s finalists, holder La Salle and runner-up UST, will be on Aug. 10.