UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rene Saguisag. Photo from UAAP Media.

MANILA — The UAAP will push through with its new rules on player transfer starting the Season 87 men's basketball tournament.

The policy will see players who move from one member-school to another serve one year of residency while being deducted two years from their eligibility.

READ: UAAP to implement stricter rules on player transfers starting Season 87

While the rule will be in full swing starting this season, there have already been concerns raised regarding the topic -- notably from Senator Pia Cayetano, who authored the R.A. No. 10676 or the ‘Jerie Pingoy rule' that was passed in 2015. 

"May I remind everyone concerned that the Student-Athletes Protection Act, which I principally authored and sponsored, explicitly protects the playing years of our student-athletes," she said in a previous statement. "I trust that the UAAP Board of Trustees shares my concerns for the welfare of our student-athletes and will not do anything to circumvent the intent of RA 10676."

However, the league will still push through with the revised policy despite the statement of Senator Cayetano.

"We don't view it as [circumventing the law], but we perfectly understand and respect the view. Again, that is the gift of democracy," defended UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rene Saguisag during the Season 87 press conference at the Novotel in Quezon City on Wednesday morning.

Aside from this, Atty. Saguisag explained that the ruling was not only approved by all member schools, but also serves as an answer to the number of players opting to exit their programs for another institution. 

"Again, yung rule is under continuous review, and pinag isipan naman yung rule. From where the member schools sit, it would help address the challenges of the ‘rampant transfers' that have been happening. Hindi naman siya necessarily circumvention, and hindi siya deliberately looking for the gray area, but one thing that we can say is that we respect the law. That is why we did not touch on residency, and there is a very difference when you reduce the number of eligibility years as supposed to charge the residency upfront.

"It is to give the member schools some measure of protection," he continued. "And allow me to emphasize that the decision was made collectively. There were spirited discussions. Studies, discussions, and consultations were made with all the member schools. We will continue to evaluate the measures, yun naman ang commitment namin."

Despite being firm with their decision to implement the stricter rules, Atty. Saguisag expressed openness in a discussion with Senator Cayetano.

"And in fact, we're open, if needed, to clarify and explain. Maganda dito, I open the communication. If we need to sit down with the good senator, then andoon siya to facilitate the discussions."

"Not necessarily in the context of senate investigation. Baka naman mapag usapan eh, so discussion. And again, baka naman mag iba rin ang pananaw ni Senator Pia. Kami rin naman, baka umusog ng konti and come up with a win-win solution."

"We're ready to defend if called upon," he added. 

But for now, Atty. Saguisag said that they will stand firm with their decision as the league deems it best for all concerned parties.

"Yun naman ang importante, the efforts and commitment to ensure the interest and welfare of our student-athletes," he expressed. Let me state for the record that all of us in this room, the welfare and interest of each and every student-athlete is of paramount importance, there is no question about us. We all agree on that."

"We have to consider that as much as we protect the rights of each and every student-athlete, we have to balance that with all interests. We're talking about the member school per se, and the UAAP."

"At the end of the day, the betterment of the school leads to a better UAAP, and that leads to an environment for the student-athletes," he added.

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