LAST YEAR’S proclamation of a two-year residency rule in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) sparked much controversy in the collegiate sports community.

For one, it was an untimely decree that many associated with the transfer of Far Eastern University-Diliman (FEU-FERN) high school basketball standout Jerie Pingoy to the Ateneo, dubbing it the “Pingoy rule.” For another, it prevented student-athletes to freely choose where they could pursue their college education.

While the rule succeeded in preventing athlete-piracy among the UAAP member schools, it became a huge setback to the careers of some athletes. Sitting out for two years meant interrupting a flourishing career and prolonging an athlete’s stay in college to seven years in order to maximize the allowed playing years.

Senator Pia Cayetano took action against this rule with theStudent-Athletes Protection Act that was approved by the Senate last June 2. The bill authored by Cayetano states that high school players transferring to a different UAAP member university are no longer required to serve their residency years. Therefore, the Pingoy rule would no longer be in effect once the bill has been passed into a law.

Unfortunately for Pingoy, he will have to wait for another season as the law has yet to be finalized. But he assures that he will be ready once he is called to step into the court.

The interdisciplinary studies sophomore adds that while it was hard for him to accept the prolonged residency, he has no regrets in doing so because he wanted to pursue an Ateneo education. The same goes for the other athletes in Ateneo serving their residency years as they eagerly prepare for their time in the UAAP.

Foreign residency

The Pingoy rule is not the only UAAP rule that requires a two-year sit out. Foreign athletes must also serve a two-year residency before they are allowed to suit up for their respective schools.

Some of those affected were unaware of the regulation and were left with no choice but to abide by the rule. Such was the case with the Ateneo’s secondary basketball unit Team Glory Be’s Nigerian imports and interdisciplinary studies sophomores Ikeh Chibueze and Ewenike “Sega” Kingsley.

Although Kingsley has moved to Enderun Colleges to pursue his basketball career, he recalls that his one-year experience he had with the Blue Eagles involved a series of adjustments.

“I didn’t know about it before I got here. At first, I felt bad because I thought immediately that I was gonna stop playing,” Kingsley shares. Chibueze adds to his teammate’s sentiments, saying, “To me, nobody wants to waste [time] by sitting out. Everyone who wants to play should just go and play. Sitting out is discouraging when you know your plans and goals in life.”

These reactions, however, were short-lived, because both he and Chibueze were included in Team Glory Be alongside Pingoy last year.

Outside the UAAP

Team Glory Be competed in different leagues throughout the year, which were excellent preparation for the official UAAP tournament for Pingoy, Chibueze and Kingsley. One such competition was the Fr. Martin’s Cup last 2013, where they finished first after outlasting San Sebastian College in the finals.

Chibueze expressed his content with the outcome of the team’s effort despite not being able to don the school’s colors in the UAAP. “[I’m happy that] in my first season in the Fr. Martin Cup, we became champions. I believe in my teammates and our goal right now is to defend the championship,” he states.

The team was also able to participate in exhibition games, as well as join the 2013 UniGames in Bacolod, where they placed second. There, the foreign athletes were able to learn more about Philippine basketball, which is crucial if they are to excel in the collegiate UAAP league.

Pingoy, on the other hand, gained much experience outside Team Glory Be with his participation in the Adidas Nations Global 2013 held in Los Angeles, California. There, he represented the Philippines alongside junior electronics and communications engineering teammate Tomas Ramos and participated not only as a player, but also as the delegation’s team captain.

Benefits

To the athletes, the opportunity to participate in competitions outside of the UAAP was not the only benefit of sitting out. They were also given the chance to focus on their studies and adjust to the demands of the Ateneo’s academic program. They became more motivated to achieve success in their sport while balancing it with their school work.

“It’s difficult to sit out in the Ateneo for two years, but I plan to use that time to focus on my studies,” says Chibueze. “I want to graduate with very good grades and a good degree, so that after my stay here I have something to bring home.”

With the pressure to excel in both the academic and sports fields, the athletes need all the help they can get. Fortunately, the school aids them by providing rigorous training programs as they condition for the UAAP tournaments.  Kingsley shares that his stint as a Blue Eagle last year involved twice a day training sessions that were accompanied by personal workouts with different coaches in the weights room.

In addition to this, some of them already train with the UAAP lineup, also known as Team A, in order to acquaint themselves with the players and the strategies of the group. Pingoy, for instance, shares that his training sessions with Team A has made him better equipped for the real thing as he makes it a point to be ready for the UAAP. “I still go to basketball practices with the Team A as preparation.”

Looking ahead

As the athletes continue to prepare themselves physically and mentally for their upcoming seasons, all of them set their eyes on winning back-to-back titles in this year’s Fr. Martin’s Cup, as well as helping their team bring home the UAAP championship title upon their eligibility.

“For my basketball, I have my eye on being the champion,” says Chibueze. “I want to have a record for myself, to make family and the ones who gave me the opportunity to be here proud.”

With the victories and records the athletes have so far bagged in their first year of residency, the gold they are aspiring for may just be theirs in the near future.

Updated: 11:17 PM, July 8, 2014