BARELY a week into UAAP Season 88, controversy has clouded its basketball operations, as SPIN.ph learned of a seemingly discriminatory practice in referee compensation between men’s and women’s divisions.
READ: Coach Nash satisfied with Adamson win over UP - referees, not so much
According to reliable sources, referees assigned to women’s games allegedly received reduced rates, with the supposed cuts diverted to boost the pay of those handling men’s matches.
This, despite no difference in game flow between men’s and women’s play, with both running on a 40-minute clock and following FIBA rules.
UAAP basketball commissioner Jai Reyes, however, clarified that the rationale for the reduced rates is purely based on the "difficulty of the division they're officiating."
"Mas mabilis ang laro sa lalaki, so mas mahirap siyang pituhan," he told SPIN.ph.
Another change in Season 88
Last year, referees were paid PHP 2,500 per game, whether that be in the men's, women's, boys', or girls' divisions.
This season, those officiating women’s and girls' games will receive P2,000, while those for men's matches will get P3,000, as those with boys' division assignments will still be given P2,500.
The adjustment, sources added, came abruptly. Referees only realized the change upon receiving their actual pay on Thursday — with those for women's games officials turning out lower than what they had earned the past two seasons.
For reference, PBA referees, who are exclusive to the league, are paid P3,000 per game on top of their monthly salaries. The NCAA, meanwhile, allots P3,500 per game for international referees and P3,000 per game for national referees - whatever division they call games in for the 'Grand Ol' League.'
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
