UAAP to impose new rule for one-and-done players in Season 90

Ateneo’s Kymani Ladi was one of the most recent one-and-done players in the UAAP. (UAAP Media)

Two for one, literally.

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has approved a new rule imposing a one-year residency before one-and-done players could suit up in the men’s basketball tournament, with the policy taking effect in Season 90.

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag disclosed the new rule of giving the said players – from any universities or colleges – time to embrace the culture of the school that they are playing in.

Saguisag also bared that the idea was already in the pipeline since last season and it will be officially implemented in next year’s edition.

The new rule was created due to “one-and-done phenomena” in the UAAP from the past years. Some of the most recent were Kymani Ladi, Jaden Lazo, and Dominic Escobar, who all donned the Ateneo jersey last Season 88.

“Any athlete that has graduated from any university, once they transfer, they’ll have to sit out one year,” said Saguisag.

“The rationale is the board wanted somehow for the student-athletes to inculcate the culture of their respective schools before they compete,” he added. “They should know what it means to be [in the school that they are playing in.]

This UAAP installment will be kicking off with an opening ceremony – headlined by rapper Gloc-9 and comedian Vice Ganda – at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday, Sept. 12.