Metro Manila, Philippines – Starting next season, players who have already graduated from college and plan to suit up for just one year in the UAAP – otherwise known as one-and-done players – will have to sit out a year before they are eligible to play.
UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag made the announcement on Tuesday, Sept. 8, saying this will take effect starting in Season 90.
“Any athlete that has graduated from any university, once they transfer, they must sit out one year,” he said.
“The board wanted somehow for student-athletes to inculcate the culture of their respective schools,” he added.
In the past, one-and-done players could make an immediate impact provided they were within the age of eligibility of 24.
Among the recent one-and-done UAAP players were Quentin Millora-Brown (University of the Philippines), Kymani Ladi (Ateneo de Manila University), Dom Escobar (Ateneo de Manila University), Jaden Lazo (Ateneo de Manila University), James Laput (De La Salle University), Jamie Malonzo (De La Salle University), Lian Ramiro (De La Salle University), Luis Villegas (University of the East), and Chase Lane (University of Santo Tomas).
The UAAP will open its 89th season on Sept. 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, with the basketball tournament tipping off on Sept. 13 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
