Changing the recruitment game (Part 2)

(Read Part 1 here)

When word came out that the UAAP Policy Board approved a recommendation to amend the infamous “Soc Rivera” rule, extending the residency period for UAAP high school players transferring to another member school for college from one year to two years, it sent shock waves across the college basketball world in the country.

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For high school players, having to sit out one year of their college basketball stint must feel like a dog being restrained from grabbing a bone that’s just inches away. And now the league requires them to sit out two years if they move to another UAAP team. What’s worse is that even if the player is released by his mother team unconditionally, he won’t escape the two-year residency requirement, unlike before.

A UAAP official also said that the rule is final and it will take effect immediately. This has raised speculations that the sudden change in the rule was hastened to prevent FEU junior standout Jerie Pingoy from bolting the Tamaraws’ camp after being rumored to be turning Blue Eagle. Ateneo and UP were the only schools that voted against such amendment.

Now this has irked several Ateneo alumni who have been eager to see Pingoy join Kiefer Ravena in the Blue Eagles backcourt. The sudden rule change has prompted some die-hard Ateneans to clamor for ADMU to abandon the UAAP and rejoin the NCAA. An Ateneo comeback will definitely bring back the NCAA’s old luster. Ateneo de Manila was one of the pioneers in the NCAA anyway. It held the most men’s basketball titles with 14 when it quit the NCAA right after the 1977 season, following a riot-marred finals series versus San Beda. But while this idea is very interesting, it is highly unlikely to see the light of day.

The UAAP defended the amendment by saying that it was meant to protect the interests of member schools. It may offer some sort of protection. Perhaps Pingoy will change his mind and stick it out with FEU. A player of his caliber doesn’t need to sit out a single year. He can immediately create an impact in the senior level. But if Pingoy has his mind set already in donning the blue and white, will he still play his heart out for the Tams? Maybe he will. But only God knows. The point is it’s never a good idea to restrain one’s free will.

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The biggest losers, of course, are the less-heralded high school players who would have had a chance of getting a slot in another UAAP team. If their original school is loaded with talent, they will either have to settle for a spot in the Team B or sit out for two years with another UAAP school, or just forget about playing the sport they love in a competitive level. The NCAA may slightly benefit from this rule if its members are able to lure some of these players to jump ships instead.

So many UAAP high school products have found their way to other member teams in college because their mother schools were not too keen on keeping them. Many of them have found a home in another team and shone there. Jeric Fortuna, for example, became UST’s main point guard for years after playing for the De La Salle Zobel high school varsity in the UAAP. If he had stuck with La Salle, he might not have gotten the starting point guard spot. The same can be said with former Ateneo Blue Eaglets Mike Gamboa and Paolo Romero, who are important members of the UP Maroons squad. If they had stayed with ADMU, they would have been still fighting for a spot in the Team A.

If this rule existed in the NCAA, former San Beda Red Cubs John Monteclaro and Francis Munsayac would not have become key players in the Emilio Aguinaldo College varsity team on their freshman year. Another former Red Cub, Anton Altamirano, made it to St. Benilde’s roster immediately after high school. Life would have been so different for them had this rule been practiced in the NCAA. To be able to grab the opportunity to play at this level for a team of one’s choice is indeed a great blessing.

The “protection” provided by this rule will likewise be short-lived. First of all, UAAP high school teams will now have a harder time recruiting prospects because of the rule. No one wants to be tied up long-term unless the perks are too good to refuse. Right now, the NCAA’s junior division is arguably more competitive than the UAAP’s. This rule will just widen the gap and eventually reduce the UAAP’s junior division to second-class status.

Secondly, other teams can always pirate these players even before they reach their fourth year in high school. The players will simply be enrolled in another high school while training with the college team. When they graduate, there will be no need to sit out for two years. There are so many ways to go around the rule if a team is hell-bent on recruiting a player.

Then of course there is the issue of education. Why can’t a student pursue a college education in the school of his choice? What if he chose a certain course that is offered best in another UAAP school, and playing for that school would enable him to study for free? And what if that school isn’t willing to wait for two years until he can be of service? Poor kid.

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Now it will be interesting to see if Pingoy’s decision will be affected by the new rule. If he still leaves for Ateneo, he would be out of the limelight for two seasons. He is not the type to stay away from the spotlight. But if he stays with the Tams, he better play his heart out. New FEU coach Nash Racela is a good man and a diligent mentor, and he deserves the best from his players.

As for the other UAAP juniors, my advice is to follow their heart. If they want to study and play for another UAAP school then pursue it, even if they sit out for two years. They can use these couple of years to prepare for college basketball. It’s not easy jumping from high school ball to college ball. There is a whale of a difference between an 18-year old and a 20-year old player. The two-year gap is like the size of an ocean when it comes to physical strength and playing experience. Not everybody can be like a Jayvee Casio, Bobby Ray Parks, Kiefer Ravena or Jeron Teng in his rookie season.

The college basketball landscape in this country continues to change. In less than 10 years, the recruitment game has shifted to high gear. Today’s talent pool is larger than ever, even going beyond Philippine territory. And recruitment, more often than not, spells the difference between success and failure.

But while the well-funded basketball programs gain tremendous advantage in the recruitment game, there are other ways to attract prospects. Teams can be creative with their offers, without having to charm with material things. It’s all part of planning and strategizing. It’s part of the game.

And leagues must let their teams play the game without having to change the rules to punish those who are winning while playing by the rules.

(Last of two parts)

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.