UAAP board tackles new rules

MANILA, Philippines — The recruitment program of several schools may be affected as the UAAP Board tackled a slew of amendments Wednesday in a bid to address what has been described as “commercialization” of the country’s premier collegiate league.

The league is looking to scrap the controversial two-year residency rule starting next season, while foreign players may be limited to one per team this year.

Proposals to put a cap on the benefits offered to student-athletes, particularly basketball players, have also been submitted, sources told the Inquirer yesterday.

The UAAP Board, though, has yet to formalize the report on the rule changes.

“A lot of amendments, however, cannot be disclosed yet as we have to make a report to the presidents of member schools first,” UAAP secretary-treasurer Rod Roque of host University of the East said.

But sources said that league officials have opted to observe the status quo in the case of the contentious residency rule until next year.

The two-year residency rule requires a UAAP high school player who transfers to another member-school for college to sit out for two years, unless he secures a release from his school.