By Nikole Javier
The University of Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) president Fr. Aldrin Suan and executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag have no qualms with the departure of student-athletes to pursue a different direction in overseas leagues.
“The professional opportunity of basketball in the Philippines is very limited. And we have an overwhelming supply of basketball players. Sabi nga, we’re a basketball country. Now, kung we have an oversupply of skills and a very limited professional venue for you to express your skills, why curtail that opportunity for other people?,” said Suan during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Online Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
Saguisag also has emphasized that this decision of players to play for neighboring countries is nothing new to him and the league, stating that “as a collegiate league composed of member schools, trying to give their students the best opportunity to succeed, okay lang.”
“Kasi there’s always been challenges on the part of the collegiate rank. Sometimes we (players) transfer to other collegiate leagues or sometimes we transfer to other professional leagues locally and abroad,” Saguisag continued.
Aside from the collegiate league giving its stamp of approval, Saguisag was also confident that the “UAAP is still alive and kicking."
“It may be a concern, but right now, we’re just happy where student-athletes are going,” added Saguisag.