In a resolution approved by the UAAP board in Season 81 for implementation a season later, all team sports student-athletes from the batch that entered the league in Season 82 and onwards are no longer authorized to participate in any pro and semi-pro sporting leagues as individuals.

On the other hand, student-athletes who entered the league prior to Season 82 can still play in clubs as individuals.

Last month, Games and Amusements Board (GAB)  and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) also drew the line between professional and amateur leagues with the Joint Resolution No. 2020-01.

Even with the presence of a special guest license for student-athletes of the UAAP, still, they cannot play in the PBA, Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3, WNBL, PVL, PFL, and NBL. Doing so also automatically forfeit their eligibility in the league.

It needs to be noted, though, that the league will not honor the special guest licenses given out by the GAB, like the one granted to UP Fighting Maroon’s Juan Gomez de Liano in the recent 3×3 pro tour.

However, student-athletes from events like basketball, volleyball, football, baseball, and softball will only get permission in commercial leagues like the PBL, PBA D-League, MPBL, and PSL if they are part of a school-based team.

The spirit of the ruling which was initiated by the University of the East and National University is to protect the value of amateurism, the student-athlete, and the school.

Student-athletes will no longer be forced to enter into contracts that compel them to play for a specific club during or after their collegiate careers.

Schools, on the other hand, will no longer have to worry about their student-athlete splitting time with training with two teams that also affects their academic life.