All news tagged Atty.ReboSaguisag

The UAAP Season 88 basketball tips off this Saturday, following a Paskuhan-inspired grand opening at UST. 

League commissioner Jai Reyes announced the adoption of FIBA standards in officiating, with a pool of international-level referees and the innovation of mic’d-up officials for assessment and grading. 

"I'm proud to say that we are having in our pool most of the FIBA referees that represent the Philippines in international competitions. One exciting development would be we would be mic'ing up our referees not yet for broadcast purposes."  Reyes said. "

Reyes aims to elevate both officiating and game quality across the league.

"We want our referees to be just like our players for them to improve yearly so we can make our product on the court the best as possible," he added.

Men’s basketball opens September 20 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, featuring FEU vs. Ateneo and Adamson vs. DLSU. 

The women’s division starts September 24, highlighted by Ateneo-UE and UP-Adamson matchups.

"Last year we ventured out and said, 'Let's put together a batch of homegrown correspondents, eight correspondents from all eight schools.' We're happy to note, we'll get to do that again," Cignal Sports Content Head Mico Halili said during the press conference. 

The UAAP continues its all-homegrown coverage initiative, with student correspondents from each member school and the debut of four new analysts—Camille Clarin, Jed Colonia, Paul Zamar, and Kenneth Tuffin—ensuring broad school representation on the broadcast panel.

"And because students from school saw that their classmates or batchmates and schoolmates were covering for UE, and NU, and Adamson, we saw an upsurge in the number of applicants who auditioned this year," he added.

With improved officiating, stronger student involvement, and fresh analyst insights, UAAP Season 88 promises to deliver a dynamic and elevated basketball experience for fans.

Meanwhile, UAAP representatives stressed the importance of proper medical testing and clearance for student-athletes before competition. 

While equipment and facilities are in place, organizers underscored that diligence over “each and every line” of safety protocols remains a priority.

“These are the minimal requirements. Documentation that student-athletes have either taken tests or have been cleared fit to play is essential. We just want to make sure everything is in order.”  said Atty. Saguisag. 

Beyond safety, excitement is also building for the new season’s sporting calendar, particularly in men’s volleyball. The league confirmed that Season 88 will feature guest teams and an expanded volleyball competition under the banner of the International Men’s Volleyball Championship.

“We are excited because this is the best of the best,” Atty. Saguisag added “Even during the opening, we want to bring the level of competition higher. I cannot imagine the energy this will bring to UAAP campuses.”

With Season 87 considered historic, UAAP leaders are determined to push Season 88 “to another level”

UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag announced that, beginning Season 89, schools will be permitted to include up to two foreign student-athletes (FSAs) in their team pools for all sports.

“This was approved this year and, like all our rules, will take effect the following season — so starting UAAP Season 89,” Saguisag said in a statement. 

Under the new rule, only one FSA can be on the active roster, with the other on reserve.

Previously, teams were limited to a single FSA. The change aims to provide roster security—especially after instances like National University being left without an FSA due to injury—while maintaining competitive balance. 

“For all sports, teams can have two foreign student-athletes in their pool, but only one can be part of the active roster at a time, with the other on reserve,” he added.

The rule takes effect next year, as UAAP Season 88 kicks off this week. 

The UAAP is exploring ways to compress its men’s basketball Season 88 second-round schedule to help Gilas Pilipinas prepare for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. 

League officials are considering options such as quadruple-headers to finish the season by late November, similar to adjustments made in 2019 for the SEA Games.

"[UAAP Executive Director] Rebo [Saguisag] and I recently met with the SBP executive director [Erika Dy] on ways to maybe finish the UAAP basketball tournament early so that UAAP players can participate in the SEA Games. There will be a decision soon." said the FEU representative to the Board of Managing Directors

UAAP vice president Mark Molina said the league is coordinating with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to support the national team. 

"We always communicate to the SBP that the UAAP is always willing and ready to help the national team in all levels," Molina said.

The compressed schedule would allow select UAAP standouts, including Veejay Pre, to join Gilas preparations ahead of the SEA Games basketball tournament, which tips off December 13. 

Gilas coach Norman Black is expected to finalize his 12-man roster soon as the Philippines aims to maintain its regional basketball dominance.

The UAAP is ramping up health and safety protocols ahead of Season 88, which opens September 19, following the recent tragic deaths of two young basketball players during training.

UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag stressed at Wednesday’s preseason press conference that while emergency medical services and health protocols have long been in place, the league is now doubling down on caution—especially during training sessions. 

“We already have emergency medical services in place for competitions. But we’re making sure that athletes undergo proper pre-participation medical screening and reminding schools to be even more vigilant at their training venues,” Saguisag said. 

The renewed push for athlete safety follows the deaths of National University’s Ashlyn Abong, 18, who collapsed during training on June 28, and University of the Philippines recruit Israel Friday, 19, who died after collapsing at practice on August 20.

In response, member schools have also implemented stricter protocols. At UP, the Office of Athletics and Sports Development now requires all students, including athletes, to undergo medical evaluations before enrollment. 

Student-athletes must also pass a Pre-Participation Medical Sports Evaluation (PMSE) and additional cardiovascular screenings before joining their teams.

“They have to undergo tests. Even if they’ve completed the PMSE, further clearance is needed to detect any existing medical conditions,” explained UP’s Bo Perasol.

As Season 88 approaches, the UAAP is sending a clear message: while competition is central to collegiate sports, athlete safety remains the top priority.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed that the UAAP has denied the league’s request to allow graduating and one-and-done players to join the upcoming September 7 PBA Draft while still completing their collegiate eligibility.

Marcial said he received a letter from UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag, who explained that the issue was thoroughly discussed by the UAAP Board of Managing Directors. 

“This matter involves a policy issue across all our sports programs. We are unable to favorably act on the request at this time. We must also ensure consistency in our regulations concerning student-athletes entering professional leagues,” Saguisag wrote.

As a result, graduating UAAP players will have to wait another nine months before they can apply for the next PBA Draft, potentially stalling their transition to the professional ranks and affecting their career momentum.

Saguisag also added that the matter would be referred to the UAAP’s sports and eligibility committees for further review and possible amendments in future seasons.

In contrast, the NCAA allows its graduating players to enter the PBA Draft as long as they finish their final collegiate season before turning pro—a policy seen as more supportive of athletes’ career development.

Among the UAAP standouts who could have entered this year’s draft are La Salle’s Michael Phillips, UP’s Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, and several others. With the UAAP’s decision, these prospects must now wait until next year’s draft to begin their professional journey.

The UAAP has upheld its ruling barring players from joining the PBA Draft while retaining their collegiate eligibility, despite an appeal from PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial. 

UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag emphasized that the decision affects not only basketball but the entire UAAP sporting program.

“We can’t grant the request, at least for this season, because it has implications for our other sporting events,” Saguisag said.

He added that the UAAP Board must conduct a thorough review before allowing players to enter the PBA Draft mid-season.

“We’re committed to referring this matter to a committee for a deep study of its impact across all our 20 sporting events,” Saguisag explained. 

However, he noted that the UAAP isn’t closing its doors to the idea and may implement changes as early as Season 89.

Saguisag said Marcial and the PBA understood the UAAP’s need for consistency with its regulations. In the UAAP’s view, any player who enters the draft—even if undrafted and a free agent—is considered a professional and thus ineligible to continue playing at the collegiate level.

The ruling means top prospects like La Salle’s Mike Phillips and other graduating UAAP players will have to wait about a year before they can enter the PBA Draft if they wish to retain their eligibility this season.