THE University Athletic Association of the Philippines came out with a new ruling that would lower the limit of playing years for student athletes.
Under the new rule, student athletes will play only until they are 24 years old, or a year less than the previous rule that allowed varsity athletes to play until they are 25 years old from high school to college, or a total of seven years.
The league, under season 79 host University of Santo Tomas, came out with the new ruling as it made made adjustments to the implementation of the K to 12 program.
Incoming UAAP president Fr. Ermito de Sagon said this is only one of the many changes that are being done staring the 79th season.
“This is a season of change. There would be many changes,” said de Sagon.
The new rule will impact on some players, particularly Far Eastern University Tamaraws Mac Belo and Russell Escoto, who both used up four playing years, as varsity players and yet both are still below 24-years old.
UST, meanwhile, could lose veteran cagers Louie Vigil and Jamil Sheriff, who will reportedly turn 25 before the season begins this September.
The league will also tackle the residency of foreign players, who may be allowed to see action after only a year of residency.
At the same time, the league is also mulling to allow only one foreign player instead of two.