The trend continues for one and done players in the UAAP.
In UAAP Season 81, three student-athletes invoked the league’s one-and-done rule for players who have already graduated but only played for four years in their mother leagues.
There was Troy Rike (Wake Forest) for NU Men’s Basketball, Arianne Vallestero (NU) for Adamson Softball, and Lourdes Clemente (Perpetual Help) for DLSU Women’s Volleyball.
For Season 82, Rey Suerte will use his final year of collegiate eligibility as he will play for the UE Red Warriors.
“Nakapag-decide ako na ilalaro ko yung final year ko sa college. Pagkatapos ng D-League wala namang liga kaya nag-decide ako maglaro sa UAAP,” Suerte told Tiebreaker Times.
“Gusto ko rin talaga makalaro sa UAAP. Kung ano yung intensity ng mga fans at players, gusto ko maramdaman yun.”
After foregoing his final year with the UV Green Lancers, the two-time CESAFI MVP played for Cebu-Max4 Birada in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 and is currently suiting up for PBA D-League club Che’Lu Bar and Grill.
The 23-year-old wanted to experience what it feels like to play in the UAAP that is why he joined UE.
“Mas more competitive ang UAAP. Kasi iba yung Manila teams, mas bigatin yung mga players at yung mga schools. Iba din yung intensity ng laro kesa sa probinsya,” said Suerte, who is averaging 14.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in the current D-League season.
The Red Warriors though are coming off a 1-13 campaign. And Suerte is hoping that he is the x-factor that turns UE’s fortunes around.
“Gusto ko lang tulungan yung team sa campaign nila. Hopefully, big factor ako dun na makatulong sa UAAP.”
Suerte will not have to sit out a year as he will be taking up a masters program in UE. He is automatically eligible for Season 82.
