Senator Sonny Angara admitted that poaching of players among college teams couldn’t be avoided.
But should the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and National Collegiate Athletic Association decide to submit themselves to a regulatory body, it should be “realistic and fair” that will protect the interest of the student-athletes.
In a Viber message to Daily Tribune, the youthful lawmaker raised alarm over the rampant player movement in the UAAP and NCAA.
Jacob Cortez, for one, moved to De La Salle University in the UAAP barely a month after leading San Beda University to the NCAA title.
On the same note, Cebu-based playmaker Jared Bahay ended his commitment with University of the Philippines to entertain potential suitors.
The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu juniors star has yet to announce his new school, but speculations are swirling that he is the apple of the eye of major programs like La Salle, Ateneo de Manila University and National University.
Angara, also the chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, admitted that it’s hard to prevent Cortez, Bahay and other young players from seeking opportunities elsewhere.
“It’s something we cannot avoid,” Angara said.
“These are the realities of life. If we do regulate the transfer of players, it must be realistic and fair that doesn’t unduly restrict their opportunities.”
There is already a strong clamor to put an end — or at least minimize — the poaching of college players as it defeats the essence of amateurism and affects the integrity of the game.
But the Philippine Sports Commission, which is headed by a former UAAP commissioner in Richard “Dickie” Bachmann, is taking a hands-off approach in this issue as its mandate is only the welfare of the national athletes who are in the rosters of various national sports associations.
The UAAP and NCAA, after all, are private entities governed by representatives of top educational institutions in the country.
“If the players involved are members of the national team, maybe we can regulate,” said a ranking PSC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“But UAAP and NCAA are private entities, hence, government sports agency like the PSC should not be involved.”
“Still, we’ll find out how the PSC could help resolve the situation.”
