UAAP plans rules overhaul on player eligibility

MANILA, Philippines — The two-year residency rule and the eligibility of foreign players are up for review as the UAAP braces for major changes ahead of the league’s Season 77 which kicks off on July 12.

UAAP secretary-treasurer Rod Roque said yesterday that among the amended rules submitted for final approval of the university presidents are the residency rule requiring a UAAP junior player who transfers to another member-school for college to sit out for two years.

Also high on the list, according to Roque of host University of the East, is the eligibility of foreign players.

Roque said the league aims “to stop the recruitment of foreign players” by next season, unlike the past years where teams are allowed to line up a maximum of two foreigners.

According to Roque, the country’s premier collegiate league looks to overhaul “80 percent” of its rules and regulations to address various controversial issues that hounded it last season.

“This is the biggest amendment and some will be implemented this year, others by next season,” Roque said in the weekly PSA Forum Tuesday at Shakey’s Malate.