The University Athletic Association of the Philippines has turned down the Philippine Basketball Association’s appeal to allow graduating players to apply for the upcoming Season 50 Draft, scheduled for Sunday, September 7, at the Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.
UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag explained that while the league recognizes the “merit and disadvantages” of letting players enter the draft mid-season, the UAAP cannot make a decision based solely on basketball.
The ruling must consider the entire sporting program.
This stance is reinforced by a previous situation involving former National University standout Alyssa Solomon, who had to withdraw from the 2025 Korean Volleyball Federation Asian Quota Draft to maintain her amateur status.
“Yun na nga, when we make that decision kasi, it’s not per sport or per division. It’s for the whole sporting program of all events. So may implication siya, hindi siya basta-basta,” Saguisag said during the UAAP Season 88 opening ceremony press conference at the Dr. Robert Sy Grand Ballroom of the UST Paredes Building on Wednesday morning.
“We have to politely decline at least for this season na hindi namin mapagbibigyan yung request na magpa-draft yung players in the midst, or actually even before the basketball season begins. Medyo marami siyang implications ‘eh,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Unlike the NCAA, which allows its players to join the PBA Draft even during the season, UAAP rules prohibit basketball players from applying until after their season has concluded.
Saguisag also assured that the UAAP is carefully studying the matter to ensure consistency across all sports moving forward.
“Kailangan, careful studying with all the implications not only for basketball, but for all sporting events in the future tsaka pati yung most recent ones. Kailangan consistent siya in all our regulations,” Saguisag explained.
“They understood naman. Si Commissioner Willie [Marcial], understood naman our position.”
UAAP Board of Managing Directors president and UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics director Rev. Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P. echoed the same sentiment, noting that the league’s primary concern is safeguarding its student-athletes from potential complications brought by policy changes.
Among the Season 88 players expected to draw strong interest from PBA teams are UST’s Nic Cabanero and Forthsky Padrigao, La Salle’s Mike Phillips, UE’s John Abate, Adamson’s Cedric Manzano, NU’s Jake Figueroa, Ateneo’s Kymani Ladi and Dom Escobar, and UP’s Terrence Fortea, Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Janjan Felicilda, and Reyland Torres.
“The board discussed about the request coming from PBA. But you know, this is a policy issue that has an effect on other sports. So once we decide something about this request, it has an effect on other sports. Kaya we need time. Kasi medyo short lang din yung time na binigay sa amin,” Cansancio shared.
“So we need time to discuss more about this proposal moving forward. So on the part of UAAP, our Sports Eligibility Committee is now studying this proposal.”
