FOREIGN student-athletes (FSAs) won't have to fight tooth-and-nail for their spot soon, as the UAAP is set to expand its player pools next season.
To be clear, next season means the Season 89 men's basketball tournament, and not Season 88 tipping off Sept. 20.
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Multiple SPIN.ph sources confirmed that the league is primed to increase player pools for basketball from 16 to 17, allowing teams to have two FSAs on their rosters once the rule change is enforced.
However, only one FSA will be allowed to suit up per game, meaning that squads will have the choice on who to play for a specific match.
The move also gives teams some sort of leeway in the event of an injury to one of their FSAs.
National University faced this quandary last season when Mo Diassana injured his knee in the first game of the campaign, leaving them without an FSA for the remainder of Season 87.
Omar John is set to be fielded by the Bulldogs in lieu of Diassana for Season 88.
Beefed up bigs
Other teams which currently have multiple FSAs in their pool for this season include the University of the Philippines with Francis Nnoruka and Dikachi Ududo; La Salle with Bright Nwankwo, Henry Agunnane, and Peter Osang; University of Santo Tomas with Collins Akowe, Racine Kane, Joseph Kumbai, and Christian Tabeth; Adamson with OJ Ojarikre and Alou Gaye; and FEU with Mo Konateh and Montell Shelton.
Before going all-Filipino, the NCAA once allowed its teams to have two FSAs on their rosters - and both can be fielded in during games.
That rule saw the likes of Bright Akhuetie and Prinze Eze team up for Perpetual, as well as Ola Adeogun and Donald Tankoua carrying the load for San Beda.
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