In line with this, the UAAP Board of Managing Directors plans to adjust the eligibility and age-limit rules for Season 83, with the proposal still set for approval by the Board of Trustees. 

However, most likely, recommendations from the Managing Directors will extend the age only for student-athletes currently enrolled in their respective schools to 26 which was the same decision for Season 83 and till the next season.

Yet, rookie players with their schools’ master’s degree programs will not be covered by the eligibility extension.

The same was signified by multiple league insiders, the extension of eligibility is granted to student-athletes who are currently enrolled in their respective universities at the start of the Academic Year 2020-2021.

The “Troy Rike rule” states that, “A student-athlete from a non-member school who is pursuing graduate studies in a member school shall not be subject to residency requirements.”

“This means that the master’s student should have already been enrolled and is studying in the UAAP school when the first semester started so that he can be covered by the extension,” said a source first published by Tiebreaker Times.

On the other hand, UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag said that “kasi how can you call it a playing year kung hindi sila naglaro?”

Players such as FEU’s Emman Ojuola, formerly of Naga College Foundation; UP’s Sam Dowd, formerly of Idaho State; and UST’s Joshua Fontanilla, formerly of St. Clare College of Caloocan, are allowed to play in Season 84. All of whom are enrolled in their respective universities.

However, this won’t be the case for UE’s Brian Enriquez, who already graduated from William Woods University. By 2022 he will be already above the league’s age limit and he is currently not enrolled in UE as well.

UE’s recruit in CJ Payawal, a graduate of St. Xavier, will be a one-and-done player instead of a two-and-through come Season 84.