UAAP board to set criteria before accepting new member

MANILA, Philippines – A strong athletic program, not only in basketball, is one of the criteria being considered by the University Athletic Association Philippines (UAAP) board in accepting a new member. This was according to UAAP president Anton Montinola, who added that the board is also mulling the idea of expanding to 10 teams and follow the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) move this season. The NCAA, minus Philippine Christian University (PCU), expanded its membership in the 85th season accepting three guest squads – Angeles University Foundation (AUF), Arellano University and Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC). “There must be certain limitations before we decide to expand the membership since we have continuous tournaments in one semester. So if one university presents an offer we can not refuse or makes the right application then who are we to stop the UAAP’s expansion," said Montinola in an interview during Wednesday’s memorandum of agreement signing with The Old Spaghetti House (TOSH) in Libis, Quezon City. Montinola said that, personally, he supports expanding the UAAP membership. “It is beneficial to the league since it will enhance the rivalry in the UAAP. But the board must be unanimous in making the decision of accepting a new member." Montinola, who is also the Far Eastern University (FEU) representative to the UAAP board, added that it is not easy to organize a league with nine or 10 members. He said that the UAAP board will closely monitor the events in the NCAA. “We (UAAP board) will observe what will happen with the NCAA in its expanded line-up. A number of schools have sent feelers but we’re not making a decision yet." Aside from a school’s strong sports program, other criteria that the board could set are alumni and fan support, seriousness in competing in all events in the UAAP calendar and pay a fee. “The school applying for membership should also have a strong alumni support and a wider fan base win or lose, should also express willingness in competing in all sports played in the league and are willing to pay a certain amount since the UAAP is a valuable product so they have to open their checkbook," said Montinola. FEU and TOSH signed a partnership this season where the latter would provide pre- and post-game meals to the Tamaraws when they compete for the men’s basketball crown. – GMANews.TV