JERIE Pingoy and Hubert Cani are officially out of the Ateneo Blue Eagles' lineup this season after failing to get a release from their former schools before the deadline for the submission of rosters in the UAAP on Thursday.
Pingoy and Cani were scratched from the official lineup of the Blue Eagles during Thursday’s final board meeting before the start of the UAAP season since both are ineligible to play without a release from their former schools.
Also, a bill filed by Senator Pia Cayetano that seeks to outlaw 'unfair' practices such as residency rules in college leagues failed to be passed into law in time to give the two a reprieve.
Pingoy and Cani are covered by the UAAP's controversial two-year residency rule after transferring to Ateneo from Far Eastern University and National University, respectively.
“They were withdrawn (by Ateneo),” said UAAP secretary treasurer Rod Roque, referring to Pingoy and Cani. “’Yun pa rin ang ruling, two-year residency.”
Roque said Pingoy and Cani will no longer even be allowed to play even if Cayetano’s bill on the protection of student-athletes will be enacted into law in the middle of the season.
“Too late na rin dahil tapos na ang eligibility (meeting),” said Roque.
Up until the last few weeks, Ateneo was still hoping for the release of Pingoy and Cani as athletic director Ricky Palou tried to initiate talks with his FEU and NU counterparts.
With the pair out, Ateneo will have five rookies in its roster this season in John Apacible, Clint Doliguez, Jay Javelosa, Thirdy Ravena, and Arvin Tolentino.
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