HOUSE Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero (1 Pacman Partylist) wants a bill that will prohibit schools in various collegiate leagues from recruiting foreign players, saying the practice denies homegrown players the opportunity to develop their skills.
The practice of tapping foreign student-athletes, according to Romero, has become the norm in various college leagues beginning with the UAAP and NCAA nowadays which he said 'is a total disregard to the true meaning of fair play.'
In House Resolution No. 388, Romero said: “I am urging the proper committee of the House of Representatives in aid of legislation to stop and prohibit all collegiate leagues from recruiting, acquiring and using non-Filipinos as players because in effect, it stops the growth and shortchanges the development of various sports programs in the Philippines.”
By allowing foreigners to play, Romero said schools that have vast resources gained 'undue advantages.' In doing so, 'it destroys the beautiful game of basketball," the owner of PBA ballclub NorthPort added.
“Lest I’ll be accused of being some kind of a killjoy, I am doing this for the good of Philippine basketball. The crushing defeats we suffered in the recent Fiba World Cup has forced me to make this resolution,” said Romero who was the patron of the Philippine basketball team that won the gold medal in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Ratchasima, Thailand.
“I’m not targeting any school here. All I want is to give our homegrown players the chance to improve and compete to the best of their ability,” said Romero. “Acquiring foreigners is not only counter-productive but it is also more expensive to maintain a team.”
Romero also noticed that some foreign players – mostly Africans – have moved from one league to another, thus belying the notion that they came to the country to study.
“Hindi tayo nagdadamot, pero ang masakit nito ang kapwa nating Filipino ang nagiging biktima rito,” said Romero, who played for La Salle during his college days.
The lawmaker who owns NorthPort in the PBA, said various leagues should find ways or create measures to prevent the proliferation of this “malpractice for the sake of homegrown athletes.
Romero, however, is happy to note that this season will be the last time “imports” will be allowed ro play in the oldest collegiate league – the NCAA.
“These foreign players have taken away playing time from Filipino players, so kung wala ng foreign players they have to step up and deliver,” said an NCAA official.
Letran and San Sebastian are the only schools in the NCAA which don’t have the so-called imports while all teams from UAAP have their own “reinforcements."
PBA great Allan Caidic said that because of their height advantages, foreign players have now dominated the individual honors given each year to outstanding players.
“Iyan ang hindi maganda kapag may foreign players, they can dominate the awards given each year,’ said Caidic, who masterminded the last two championships of University of the East in 1984 and 1985.
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