TO LEVEL the playing field in the UAAP, its board temporarily banned graduate student-athletes from playing this year.
In a phone interview with the Varsitarian, UAAP President Luz Sta. Ana argued the graduate student-athletes, loosely termed as “mercenary athletes”, may daunt younger players due to their larger and broader physique.
“A freshman is not as physically agile as athletes who are in their post-graduate studies,” Sta. Ana contended. Sta. Ana added that mercenary athletes are veterans who join in many competitions before, thus they are more experienced, and should give way to younger recruits.
UST athletic moderator Michael Silbor agrees with Sta. Ana.
“You cannot field athletes who are 23 years-old against 17 year-olds who are new to the UAAP,” Silbor said. He stressed that UST does not admit mercenary athletes. “There is a difference in the athletes’ bodies which can result to unforseen injuries.”
In addition to the new rule, transferee athletes will not be eligible to play unless they complete a year of residency in their new schools, the UAAP board mandated.
“This is to discourage some players from enrolling just to play, since because they will not be fielded right away,” said Fr. Ermito de Sagon O.P., Institute of Physical Education and Athletics regent and UAAP board chairman. Raymond Jude M. Dumaual
