THE NEW UAAP rule extending to two years the residency of student-athletes transferring to another UAAP member school drew cheers and jeers from students, sports officials, and athletes.
Also known as the “Jerie Pingoy rule,” it aims to discourage “piracy” among UAAP member schools, drawing support from Adamson University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, University of the East, and University of Santo Tomas.
Here are some thoughts from the Thomasian community:
“I don’t agree with the rule because it limits the student-athletes’ freedom to transfer to another UAAP member school. [UAAP officials] seem to be inconsiderate of the scholastic career plans of the student-athletes whom they wanted to be focused more in UAAP games.
-Timothy So-Kua, Season 75 chess Most Valuable Player from Adamson University High School
“I agree with the new UAAP rule. Parang nawawala kasi loyalty mo sa isang school kung lilipat ka from another UAAP school. It would be a disappointment for the school where an athlete is initially affiliated. Stay where you begin your career.”
-Ian Zoleta, Sociology junior, Faculty of Arts and Letters
“The new rule is very selfish for the schools. No matter what sport it is, they do not have the right to diminish the choices of student-athletes who want to get a good education. Like in my case, I chose UST because it offered the course (Architecture) I wanted.”
-John Depante, team captain, Tiger Spikers
“As a former student-athlete in high school and college, the role of the coaches is to train their athletes and not to lift their freedom [in what school to choose]. About the recruitment, everyone (coaches) has a fair chance to recruit. We should only take the advantage of recruiting home-grown high school student-athletes for the inter-collegiate sports.”
-Ronald Dableo, Season 75 champion coach of Male Woodpushers
“I think the new rule is fair because it protects the school from piracy of their home-grown players.”
-Jan Rochen Yanquiling, Pharmacy sophomore, Faculty of Pharmacy
“It would be unfair for student-athletes if they won’t be given opportunity to choose their school. The new rule seems to serve the interest of FEU because of [Jerie] Pingoy’s departure, though UST would also benefit from it.”
-Adrian Co, Pilipino Mirror sports writer and Faculty of Arts and Letters alumnus
