UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag during the UAAP Season 88 press conference, September 15, 2025 in Greenhills. UAAP Media
MANILA -- In recent years, the transfer of young and promising prospects from one school to another has become a tradition in the UAAP, as student-athletes search for more opportunities and greener pastures.
With player movement once again taking the limelight ahead of Season 88, league executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag underscored the need to uphold what he described as an often ignored principle: "collegiality."
"Let us be clear, we do not as an association discourage transfer," the executive said during the UAAP Season 88 basketball press conference on Monday in Greenhills. "This is a tough decision that the student- athlete and/or his family will have to make on what's best for them."
Citing the civil code, the lawyer said that while jumping to another institution is a "constitutionally guaranteed" right, it must be done with full honesty and in good faith.
"Internally, it can mean that the student-athlete must be open and be honest enough in his dealings," he said. "Communicate with the coach, to the managing director, all the way up to their president."
Saguisag added that negotiations about handling transfers should be a two-way exchange between players and involved member-schools.
"Because at the end of the day, collegiality means the collaboration of colleagues over a shared responsibility over a student-athlete, who is not only a student-athlete of his or her school, but is a part of the wider UAAP community," he explained.
Last season, UAAP enforced new eligibility rules for transferees, where a student-athlete must sit out for a whole year before being cleared to play for their new school.
READ: UAAP to implement stricter rules on player transfers starting Season 87
READ: UAAP hopes new rule on transfers will encourage parity
On top of being sidelined for a year's worth, transferees will also incur a one-year deduction from their playing years. Overall, a transferee will lose two years of eligibility.
Only player movements made between UAAP schools at the collegiate level are affected by the eligibility deduction, which means that transferees from the NCAA and other leagues won't be affected.
The decision took effect at the start of the 2024 to 2025 academic year after a rising trend in player exodus.
UAAP Season 88 will commence on Friday, Sept. 19, at the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
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