UAAP Board: We did not instigate swimming 'boycott'
Contrary to what others think, in particular the University of the Philippines, the UAAP Board insisted it “did not order or instigate” the move deemed as a boycott against Mikee Bartolome’s participation in the league’s swimming competition being held at the Trace Aquatics Center in Los Baños, Laguna.
Instead, the Board claimed the refusal of other schools, such as University of Santo Tomas and La Salle, not to compete in the women’s event where Bartolome saw action as “a sign of personal indignation or protest.”
By virtue of a Temporary Restraining Order she obtained against the league’s two-year residency rule, Bartolome, a bemedalled UST tanker in the juniors division last year, was able to carry the colors of UP this season, but her debut was met with some sort of protest, specifically from the Green Archers and the Growling Tigers camps.
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Stressing it remains respectful of the court order, the Board added it “has no recourse but to heed and revert to the previous rule which has been imposed for decades. The old rule requires a freshman student-athlete who transfers from one UAAP school to another to complete one year of residency. The court order was specific on the 'two-year' rule which was imposed only this Season 76, and not on the previously accepted “one-year” rule. It would be worse for the UAAP if it also lifts the long accepted one-year rule.”
The Board also noted Mikee’s elder sister, April, also graduated high school from UST and served a one-year residency before suiting up for UP.
As the season’s host, Adamson also stressed it “would not instigate any protest. The Soaring Falcons only have one female entry in the swimming competitions.”
During its regular meeting on Thursday, the Board added its members unanimously agreed to follow and respect the court order.
