Release clause may help Pingoy play in UAAP this year

There just might be hope yet for Cebuano guard Jerie Marlon Pingoy to play immediately for the Ateneo Blue Eagles as a release clause has been added by the UAAP board to its controversial two-year residency rule amendment.

The UAAP remained resilient in approving its much-ballyhooed two-year residency rule for high school graduates who are transferring from one UAAP member school to another.

Hit hard by the rule is Pingoy, the two-time UAAP juniors MVP, who chose to take his talents to Ateneo after showcasing his skills for Far Eastern University (FEU) in high school.

But the UAAP board has given hope for those affected as they added a clause which allows a transferee to play right away provided he secures a release form from his previous school.

“An incoming collegiate athlete who is a high school graduate from a UAAP member university and enrolled in another member university shall take a mandatory two-year residency, except when a prior release is issued by the member university for the athletes concerned,” said the league’s statement.

“The two-year residency from high school to college shall cover incoming student athletes effective UAAP Season 76 (School Year 2013-2014). The release form shall be duly signed by any UAAP board member of the member university concerned,” the statement added.

Should Pingoy fail to secure a release from FEU, he will be eligible to play for the Blue Eagles still in the 2015 season. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio