2 key Maroons ruled ineligible

Two players from the University of the Philippines have been ruled ineligible in the 80th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, which unveils its 80th season on Saturday at the MOA Arena in Pasay.

Ibrahim Ouattara, a 6-foot-9 talent from Mali, and Rob Ricafort are set to debut for the Fighting Maroons on Sunday against the University of Santo Tomas Tigers but are in danger of missing the game and the rest of the season after failing to meet eligibility requirements.

Ouattara is yet to meet the required twoyear residency for foreign players.

Ricafort, on the other hand, will turn 25 in January or five months before the June 30 deadline next year.

UP, however, appealed the decision to the Board of Trustees.

“Last year, they changed the deadline of age from July 31 of this year to June 30 next year and Rob turns 25 in January. Before last year, one could not turn 25 on June 30 of the season so he could still play because he is just 24. We are going to appeal it because when that rule was implemented, he was already enrolled for residency,” said UP coach Bo Perasol during the UAAP press launch at the MOA Arena last Monday.

As for Ouattara, Perasol cited the Magna Carta of Student-Athletes sponsored by thensenator Pia Cayetano which should have reduced the two-year residency to one.

The appeal, if not considered, would reduce UP to a 14-man lineup, putting a huge dent on its campaign after being tagged by some of its rivals as one of the teams to watch this season.

“As far as my preparations are concerned, I prepared year-long with (Ibrahim Ouattara) as my starting center and all of a sudden (he could not play). If the appeal is not going to be approved, it’s going to affect our competitiveness greatly,” said Perasol.

Perasol said that their appeal will be tackled by the Board of Trustees in a meeting sometime this week.