After missing the first three games of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons due to eligibility issues, Rob Ricafort’s camp secured a Temporary Restraining Order, allowing him to finally play in the UAAP Season 80.
Ricafort will be turning 25 in January 2018, a month after the basketball season. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old basis of the age requirement is the end of the whole UAAP season, not just basketball, which is on June 30.
This was eventually affirmed by the UAAP Board of Trustees in a meeting last September 7, despite an appeal filed by UP.
However, now with a TRO issued by Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar of Branch 19 of the Regional Trial Court of Manila, he can now play in his first and only season in UAAP.
“Rob took great lengths to assert his rights. The court has spoken.
“Nobody has the power to deny him that right which the court has protected. As his coach, the least I could do is to help him get back up, after stumbling in life many times over in the past,” Coach Bo Perasol expressed.
The 6-foot-3 forward was part of the pool of the De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas before finally finding his home in UP.
Last season, Matthew Aquino of National University was granted a 30-day TRO after being declared ineligible. He only played in five games last year.
Now with a complete 16-man lineup, the Fighting Maroons will face the Green Archers tomorrow with full force tomorrow, 4pm at the Mall of Asia Arena.
By: Danine Cruz
