UAAP will not allow graduating players to join PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft

UNLESS they opt to forgo their college eligibility, current UAAP stars can’t join the coming PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft.

This as the UAAP “politely declined” the pro league’s request to allow its graduating players to apply for the Sept. 7 draft and then sign with the PBA teams only after the collegiate league’s 88th season is through.

Executive director Rebo Saguisag, though, said they will take a look at the possibility of letting UAAP seniors get drafted mid-tournament in the future, similar to what the NCAA already does.

“We know the merits and advantages it (PBA selection) will grant student athletes. However, when we make a decision, it’s not per sport or per division, it’s for the whole sporting programs of all events,” Mr. Saguisag said on Wednesday.

“There is an implications so we had to politely decline at least for this season. But we committed and we refer it to (eligibility) committee for a really deep study on implications across all our 20 sporting events.”

At present, the UAAP considers eligible players who get picked in the PBA draft, regardless if they’re eventually signed or unsigned, as “pros.”

“They can be drafted, it’s their choice, (but) they have to forgo eligibility,” said the UAAP exec.

As such, the likes of De La Salle University’s Mike Philips, UP’s Harold Azarcon and UST’s Nic Cabanero aren’t expected to throw their hats in the PBA’s rookie aspirants just yet. — Olmin Leyba