Where’s the logic?

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial has confirmed that UAAP turned down the league’s appeal to allow graduating and one-and-done players to join the Sept. 7 draft on condition they’ll play out their varsity eligibility before moving to the pro ranks. Marcial said the appeal was declined in a letter from UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag.

So what’s the logic behind the rejection? Is it because UAAP is concerned that pro-bound players will not give their 100 percent to preserve themselves for the PBA? If that’s the reason, it disrespects the integrity of athletes. And it’s also selfish on UAAP’s part to prevent the players from exploring PBA career options immediately upon ending their varsity eligibility.

UAAP’s rejection means the concerned players will now wait nine months before applying for the next PBA draft. Instead of grabbing the opportunity to enter the PBA right after finishing their UAAP obligations, they’ll sit out precious months without purpose. A layoff of that length could be detrimental to an athlete’s timetable of achieving his or her peak.

In Saguisag’s letter to Marcial, he said the matter was taken up by the UAAP Board of Managing Directors. “We find that this matter involves a policy issue across all our sports programs,” he wrote. “As such, we are unable to favorably act on the request at this time. We must also take into account our recent pronouncements concerning student-athletes entering professional leagues to ensure consistency in all our regulations.”

Saguisag, however, noted that the issue will be referred to the relevant committees, such as sports and eligibility, “for further review and to propose potential amendments for future seasons.” It must be raised that the NCAA has a different take on this issue and allows its graduating players to join the draft provided they finish their collegiate eligibility before turning pro. The NCAA appears to enjoy a more progressive outlook with a more sympathetic view of a player’s career.

Here’s a partial list of UAAP graduating and one-and-done players who could’ve applied for the coming PBA draft if not for UAAP’s rejection – Michael Phillips, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, Harold Alarcon, JanJan Felicilda, Josh Lazaro, Kyle Ong, Kymani Ladi, Jaden Lazo, Dom Escobar, Steve Nash Enriquez, Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, Nat Tulabut, Ced Manzano, Aeron Bagunu, Nic Cabanero, Forthsky Padrigao, John Abate, Cholo Anonuevo, Jorick Bautista and Miguel Ona. Now, where will they go when the UAAP season ends in December?  What a disservice to athletes for UAAP to limit their career options. SBP should do something to protect athletes from selfish, bureaucratic league policies that make no sense.