UAAP: Transferees to have reduced playing years under new eligibility rules

The UAAP is clamping down on player transfers within the league.

UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag announced that players transferring from one member school to another will be deducted two years of eligibility. This was made public during the Season 87 press conference held Wednesday, September 4 at the Novotel Manila in Cubao, Quezon City. 

At present, student-athletes who choose to transfer from one member school to another must sit out for a year of residency before playing.

But under the amended rule, not only will student-athletes have to sit out for one year of residency, they would also have an additional playing year deducted.

“The residency period will remain the same, but only the playing years of the transferee will be affected,” Saguisag said.  

However, transfers from a non-UAAP school to a UAAP school are not affected.

“Let’s just say na any transfer after the academic year 2023-24, so Season 86, after that one ang affected. Any transfers made prior to that, hindi pa siya maaapektuhan,” he added. 

This rule covers all collegiate sports. High school or incoming college freshmen are not affected.

The offseason saw several players like Luis Pablo, Kean Baclaan, and recently Mason Amos jump to reigning champion DLSU Green Archers. 

But Pablo and Baclaan will not be affected by the rule alongside UP’s Rey Remogat and Gani Stevens, and UST’s Kyle Paranada. 

However, those who transferred after the 2023-24 academic year will be affected. Those include Amos, Renzo Competente from FEU to UST, Mur Alao from DLSU to FEU, and Kobe Demisana who transferred from Ateneo to Adamson. 

Season 87 of the UAAP will kick off with men's basketball tournament on Saturday, September 7 featuring the Battle of the Katipunan between Ateneo Blue Eagles and the UP Fighting Maroons.  

This will be aired live on One Sports, the UAAP Varsity Channel, and the Pilipinas Live app.