DESPITE a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the UAAP’s new two-year residency rule, doubts remain on whether swimmer Anna Bartolome will be cleared to compete for University of the Philippines this season.
League old hands contend that since the TRO means a `restoration of status quo,’ Bartolome will still not be able to see action for UP since the previous UAAP rule enforces at least a one-year residency for high school graduates transferring from one member school to another.
The old rule also includes an option to release, and since University of Santo Tomas – where Bartolome attended high school - has rarely issued a release even since, league insiders doubt if the teenage swimmer will be able to compete in the swimming competitions set September 19 to 22.
“It has been a long-standing policy of UST not to release (athletes). So whether it’s the old rule or the new rule, UST will not release,” said a longtime UAAP official, who spoke on condition of anonymity since he is not authorized to talk about the sensitive issue.
Through her father Vic, the young Bartolome took the issue to the courts as she seeks the repeal of the controversial two-year residency requirement for all high school transferees which the league adopted early this year.
League secretary treasurer Malou Isip declined to comment on the TRO as the case is now pending at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
“For now, kung ano ‘yung TRO, i-re-respect namin ‘yun. We will wait and see if the swimmer is included in the lineup,” said Isip after the emergency board meeting held on Wednesday.
But Isip said the screening of athletes for the swimming competitions on Thursday will go on as scheduled.
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