At A Glance
- The UAAP has turned down the PBA's request of allowing student-athletes to apply in this year's Rookie Draft, Executive Director Rebo Saguisag disclosed Wednesday, Aug. 27.
Executive Director Rebo Saguisag (UAAP Media)
The UAAP has turned down the PBA's request of allowing student-athletes to apply in this year's Rookie Draft, Executive Director Rebo Saguisag disclosed Wednesday, Aug. 27.
“We know the merit and the advantages that it’ll grant the student-athletes. However, when you make a decision it's not only in [one] sport or division,” said Saguisag during UST’s hosting press conference at Dr. Robert Sy Grand Ballroom of the UST Paredes Building.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial made an appeal to let the players send their applications for the Season 50 draft on Sept. 7, at MOA Music Hall. The deadline for aspirants is set this Friday, Aug. 29.
But Saguisag explained that the UAAP put into consideration the effect it would make not just for the basketball tournament but the entire program.
Students usually exhaust five playing years for a school, and declaring for the draft would forgo their eligibility.
“It's for the whole sporting program of all events, so may implications, ‘di sya basta-basta, so we have to politely decline at least for this season,” he added. “So, kailangan, careful study with all the implications, not only in basketball, but in all sporting events, in the future… they understood naman our position."