Save for UAAP Season 84, it had been over a decade since a student-athlete from the league declared for a professional league draft while a tournament was ongoing.
On March 6, the Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) unveiled its list of players who had enlisted for its 2025 Asian Quota Draft.
Among the 43 women named was National University standout Alyssa Solomon.
The last time current UAAP student-athletes entered a professional draft during the season was back in Season 76.
(C) Nuki Sabio/PBA Images
During that time, seniors like Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia (FEU), Ryan Buenafe and Poy Erram (Ateneo), Jeric Teng (UST), LA Revilla (DLSU), and Sam Marata (UP) declared for the PBA Draft while the UAAP season was still ongoing.
The deadline for draft applications that year was on September 12, with the draft proper held on November 3 — both dates falling within the UAAP season, which ran from June 29 to October 12, 2013.
Following that season, the league’s athletic directors — now known as the Board of Managing Directors — implemented a rule prohibiting student-athletes from joining professional league drafts during the UAAP season.
This was to ensure players remained focused on their respective campaigns and to prevent potential conflicts of interest.
The ruling applies to all UAAP sporting events.
UAAP Season 84 (2022) was an exception to this rule.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a two-year hiatus, the league allowed its student-athletes to declare for the PBA Draft if they wished.
The UAAP coordinated with the PBA to facilitate this arrangement.
Photo by PBA Images
“Kung ‘yun na lang din naman, two teams are remaining, and kung one or two games ang natitira, parang the danger sought to be avoided is wala na doon masyado,” said UAAP Executive Director Rebo Saguisag at the time.
“It really serves the best interest of the student-athlete who does not have to wait for another year.”
On Wednesday, Solomon was informed by NU officials about the UAAP’s rule and given three days to decide whether to retain her amateur status with the Lady Bulldogs or pursue a spot in the KOVO Draft.
The UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Finals MVP ultimately chose to stay at NU.
The KOVO Draft is set for April 11 — still within the UAAP season.
However, no Lady Bulldogs games will be affected, as Solomon was not part of the final list of draftees.
This situation mirrors past cases involving Justine Baltazar (La Salle, UAAP Season 84) and Francis Lopez (UP, UAAP Season 86).
Baltazar was initially included in the preliminary pool of Pampanga Delta in the NBL-Pilipinas during the pandemic but never played for the team. Similarly, Lopez signed with Overtime Elite in 2021 but never made it to the United States.
