The National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines has decided to discontinue its practice of allowing student-athletes to compete in professional leagues under the Gaming and Amusement Board’s (GAB) special guest license.
This decision, revealed in a report by GMA News, marks a departure from the league’s temporary allowance during the pandemic.
Unlike its counterpart, the UAAP, which retained strict regulations against such participation, the NCAA had temporarily permitted its student-athletes to join professional leagues like the MPBL, the PVL, and the PFL under the special guest player license.
Arellano University’s representative to the management committee Peter Cayco shared insights on the decision.
“This is not new. This was the existing rules of the NCAA pre-pandemic,” Cayco stated.
“During the pandemic, we saw the need for the players, student-athletes to hone up their skills and even elevate them. We sat down with GAB and we were able to come up with this SGL, the special guest player license. This allows student-athletes to play in professional leagues without losing their amateur status.”
The primary intent behind the special guest license was to facilitate player development during the off-season while ensuring they maintain their amateur status.
However, the NCAA is now revisiting this approach, emphasizing the importance of student-athletes focusing on their academic pursuits during non-competition periods.
It is noteworthy that the league will still permit its teams to participate in professional leagues if they function as school-based squads.
In addition to this development, the NCAA is also in the process of reviewing its rules regarding student-athlete transfers between member schools.
The ongoing study is exploring the possibility of implementing a similar ruling as the UAAP, which entails a one-academic-year sit-out period for transferees, accompanied by the forfeiture of one playing year.
