UAAP to implement new residency rule for 'one-and-done players'

MANILA, September 13 ------ The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) will be implementing a new rule for "one and done" athletes beginning next season.

UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag announced the change during the Season 89 press conference at Novotel Manila. Starting Season 90, "one and done" players will have to sit out one year for residency. "We're trying to address the so-called one-and-done phenomenon. It was legislated some time last year but it will be prospective in nature," Saguisag said. "Any athlete that has graduated from any university, once they transfer, they have to sit out one year. The rationale is the board wanted somehow for the student athletes to inculcate the culture of their respective schools before they compete," he explained.

Before the new rule, "one and done" players who graduated from another university or college outside the league were immediately allowed to compete in the UAAP, as long as they were still within the age of eligibility. Under the current setup, players who have already graduated elsewhere are allowed to pursue further studies while being able to suit up for their teams.

Examples of 'one-and done' athletes in the league are Quentin Millora-Brown of University of the Philippines, Dominic Escobar, Kymani Ladi and Jaden Lazo of Ateneo de Manila University, as well as Jamie Malonzo and Lian Ramiro of De La Salle University. "They [one-and-done players] should know what Igma Kadima [of UE] means. Or what it means to be a 'klasmeyt' in the case of Adamson. Or for FEU, what it means to be actually brave. So they'll sit out one year, get inculcated in the culture, and play next year," Saguisag added.

In Season 89, the league adjusted the basketball schedule to give way to players suiting up in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan and the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup in Wuhan, China. The UAAP will be further aligning its officiating to FIBA rules to ensure athletes and coaches will be ready for the international stage. This season, each team will be allowed to have two foreign student athletes (FSA) but only one will be allowed on the active roster.

The UAAP Season 89 opening ceremony will be held on September 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena. The men's basketball tournament will tip off on September 13, while the women's basketball competition opens on September 26.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com