UAAP transferees now lose 2 years of eligibility under new rules

MANILA, Philippines — The UAAP announced it is set to implement a new rule that would lead to an athlete transferring to a member school to lose two years of remaining eligibility aside from the required one-year residency.

In the previous rule, a player transferring to another member school had to sit out one season and lose one year of eligibility–which is five years for a true freshman–but under the amended rules, two years will now be deducted from the eligibility while the one-year residency remains.

“The UAAP, as a collegial body, decided that any transfer made after the academic year 2023-2024 will not only incur the usual residency requirement but will now be charged with an additional eligibility year, making it a total of two years,” said UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag in the press conference for Season 87 on Wednesday at Novotel Hotel.

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“In simpler terms, the residency period will remain the same but only the playing years of the transferee will be affected.”

“The UAAP decided that any transfer made after school year 2023-24 which is equivalent to Season 86, aside from the usual residency which is considered an eligibility year, but instead of just one it will now be two,”

The eight-member schools have approved a revised residency rule, which will be implemented starting the school year of 2024-25 for all sporting events.

“Let me state for the record that all of us in this room, the welfare and interest of each and every student athlete is of paramount importance. There’s no question about that. We all agree on that and that’s the most important thing. We may have different views on how to get there, but again, allow me to state that the welfare of each and every student athlete is of paramount importance,” said Saguisag.

“Ang importante sa amin, we look at enrollment. So if you transfer from a member school to another member school of the UAAP, you will be affected,” he added.

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Former National University guard Kean Baclaan, who took his talent to La Salle, and Rey Remogat from University of the East to University of the Philippines, were not affected by the new rule as they transferred in the second semester of the previous school year.

For the case of, Mason Amos, who transferred from Ateneo to La Salle in the school’s first term of the 2024-25 calendar, Saguisag said “while he is technically covered, he will not be affected immediately” as it will still be reviewed if he plays his final year.

“There’s already a board resolution. But ang interesting kasi dito, the effect will only be felt in reality once he continues to enroll in the particular school and once he submitted for the eligibility,” said Saguisag. “Sa ngayon kasi wala pa namang epekto eh. He only sits one year, next year makakalaro na siya. Yung bilangan naman sa dulo pa eh.”

The recent trend of transfer was “part of the considerations” for the league. 

“Interestingly, that is where we are coming from, we have to consider. In as much as we protect, we guarantee the protection of the rights of each and every student-athlete, we have to balance that to other interests. I’m talking about the member-schools per se and the UAAP as a collective,” said Saguisag. “There are three parties concerned here that we need to balance their interests because at the end of the day, a better member-school will lead to a better UAAP which leads to a better environment for the student-athlete.”

Senator Pia Cayetano, the author of the Student-Athletes Protection Act, warned the UAAP when the new eligibility rule was still being planned.

The UAAP is open for discussion with the senator and other parties.

“We’re ready to defend if called upon. Allow me to state, however, that that is the beauty and gift of democracy, everybody has their own views and their own perspective and we understand and respect where she’s coming from,” Saguisag said.