UAAP rule may allow HS grads to play for rival school

MANILA, Philippines - Former FEU high school star Jerie Pingoy will have a chance to play in the upcoming UAAP cage wars after all.

A statement circulated to the media yesterday disclosed that the league board has approved a clause allowing incoming rookies transferring from one UAAP high school to another to play this season despite the two-year residency rule approved early this year.

The specific clause requires freshmen transferees to get release papers from their respective high schools for them not to be governed by the standing eligibility rule.

Otherwise, a rookie transferee will have to undergo a two-year residency.

“The UAAP Board of Trustees, at its annual board meeting last April 24, with all of the member universities duly represented, promulgated and approved the following explanatory rule to the two-year residency requirement effective UAAP Season 76 (School Year 2013-2014),” said the league in a statement.

“An incoming collegiate athlete who is a high school graduate from a UAAP member university and enrolled prior in another member university shall take a mandatory two-year residency, except when a prior release is issued by the member university for the athlete concerned. 

“The two-year residency requirement from high school to college shall cover incoming student athletes effective UAAP Season 76 (School Year 2013-2014). The release form shall be duly signed by any UAAP board member of the member university concerned,” it added.

Ateneo board representative Ricky Palou, however, said that the clause has yet to be finalized by the league board in a future meeting.

“It’s still a proposal, this will most probably be finalized in the next board meeting on May 18,” Palou told The STAR.  

“I’m still against the new rule but we will abide by the decision of the board,” he added.

Pingoy emerged one the most sought-after rookies after coming through with a stellar effort for the FEU Baby Tams and a brief stint with Energen Pilipinas, the national youth team.

But he opted not to play for FEU’s varsity team and instead decided to suit up for the Ateneo Eagles, prompting the UAAP board to come up with a new residency rule.