UAAP has yet to decide on PBA commissioner Willie Marcial's request to allow players to participate in the Season 50 Rookie Draft.
READ: PBA asks UAAP to allow players to join rookie draft in midseason
However, it won't be happening this year - especially since the application deadline is already on Friday.
"We had to decline for this season. 'Di mapagbibigyan this season before the basketball season begins," said UAAP Executive Director Rebo Saguisag on Wednesday during a press conference at the Dr. Robert C. Sy Grand Ballroom inside University of Santo Tomas.
Rev. Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP, UAAP Board of Managing Directors president, added that it's a matter that the league is thoroughly studying.
"This is a policy issue that has an effect on other sports," he said. "Once we decide on something, it has an effect. So we need time to discuss more about this proposal moving forward."
At present, the NCAA already allows an interested student-athlete to throw his name into the PBA Draft hat before he plays out the season.
A welcome change in UAAP rules?
Cansancio said the UAAP appreciated the support of the pro league for student-athletes, but it still has to go through the process.
"On the part of the UAAP, the eligibility committee is studying this proposal," he said.
The PBA is set to hold its annual rookie selection proceedings this Sept. 7 at SM Mall of Asia.
Among UAAP Season 88 stars who are expected to rank highly in PBA teams' draft targets are La Salle's Mike Phillips, UST's Forthsky Padrigao and Nic Cabanero, UE's John Abate, Adamson's Cedrick Manzano, and the University of the Philippines' Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, and Terrence Fortea.
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