By Trisha Marie L. Abuyan 

The second episode of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Talk discussed the new guidelines regarding the maximum allowable benefits of student-athletes and the age limit requirement that will be implemented starting season 84.

The dean of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Human Kinetics, Francisco Diaz, announced that based on the new maximum allowable guidelines, all the benefits to be received by the student-athletes will have a ceiling.

“These measures are done to level, in fact, the playing field in terms of recruitment,” Diaz stated.

Their goal is for the student-athletes to enroll in the eight UAAP schools either to its sports development program or academic programs.

Challenges regarding this guideline are inevitable. But, UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag assured that the board is making a stand for its proper implementation.

He mentioned that the newly filed Athletics Program Reportorial Act to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will provide enlightenment to this new regulation.

“By these reports, meron na kami kahit paano na (we somehow have a) black and white that the school will sign off and we can actually look into,” Saguisag said.

Furthermore, the new rule about the age limit of student-athletes and their playing year eligibility were also clarified.

Due to the discontinuance of season 82 and the cancellation of season 83, the University of the East (UE) Athletic Director Rod Roque explained that the eligibility years were also halted from those two seasons.

“Of course, how can you [be] able to count [the] playing years if they were not able to play. So extended again for the benefit of our athletes,” Roque said.

The age limit requirement was extended to 26 years old and 364 days for the players who are enrolled in the school year 2019-2020, and to further clarify that the players should be of age until May 31, 2022 only. 

“Instead of the age limit being 25 [years old] and 364 [days], ‘wag ka lang mag-26 (just don't turn 26 years old). We extended it by [a] year pero sarado na ‘yon (but that is already fixed)… If you turn 27 [years old] at any point kahit pa last day ‘yon (even though it’s the last day) we have to apologize na talagang medyo (that somehow) you might miss the bus,” Saguisag explained. 

UAAP season 84 is fast approaching if the situation permits and with these new guidelines, there is hope for the league’s return in 2022.

(File photo from Mark Belga/FEU Advocate)