THE UAAP is considering rule changes on residency rules for high school players switching to other schools in college in the wake of the recruitment 'tug-of-war' for Far Eastern University juniors star Jerie Pingoy.
UAAP president Nilo Ocampo said that Pingoy’s situation was touched ‘in passing’ during Wednesday’s regular board meeting, but added that nothing definite was decided on the issue.
However, Ocampo agreeed that they may be a need to implement changes on the eligibility rules for the protection of league members which nurture potential stars from the junior ranks.
“Nothing serious naman (about that) pero what we want to do is to protect the schools,” Ocampo said. “Gusto rin namin alagaan ‘yung integrity ng each school.”
Following his stellar juniors career with the Baby Tamaraws marked a UAAP championship and two MVP awards, Pingoy is reportedly set to transfer and play his college ball with Ateneo following his graduation from the Morayta-based school.
FEU officials have raised a howl over the impending move, insisting that the Cebuano guard has signed an an agreement to play for the Tamaraws in college.
Under current UAAP rules, a high school player must red-shirt for one year if he transfers to another school in college but head straight to the college varsity team if he stays with his mother school.
In his case, Pingoy will have to sit out next season if he chooses to play for the Blue Eagles. Meanwhile, he will eligible to play next year if he decides to stick with the Tamaraws.
Ocampo said that an extension of the residency period from one to two years could be among the rules changes considered by the league's amendments committee.
There may also be a need for a new rule that would discourage the practice of one school 'pirating' a player from another member school.
“’Yung usual, residency ng college and pati high school, ‘yung one year, baka gawin two years and … lay your cards on the table (in terms of recruitment) para wala na ‘yung through the backdoor, ‘yung mga ganun,” Ocampo explained.
“We have an amendments committee that is studying our rules. Maybe it’s about time to check our rules, baka mag-recommend sila for the future,” he added.
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