Jerie Pingoy willing to sit out 2 years of UAAP for Ateneo

by Erik Tenedero

MANILA, Philippines - Fans will have to for wait two years before they can watch former FEU point guard Jerie Pingoy back at UAAP stage. 

In an interview, Pingoy said he is willing to sit out two years of UAAP as consequence of his transfer to Ateneo Blue Eagles. Despite this, he said he's not regretting his decision. 

Pingoy was the most affected athlete of the newly implemented two-year residency rule passed by the UAAP board this hence it was dubbed by most sports writers as "The Pingoy Rule."

The new rule requires transferring atheletes from one UAAP school to another to serve two year residency before they can play for their new school. 

UAAP secretary general Junel Baculi admits that the new rule aims to cut pirating of players. 

Amidst all these, Pingoy said he'll use the two-years of waiting focusing on his studies, training and getting accustomed with the system of his new squad. 

But Pingoy still has a chance of playing for the upcoming season of UAAP. 

This after the board approved a clause where transferring high school players will be exempted from the two-year residency rule as long as they are given release papers from their previous school. 

Asked if he's planning to ask or if he already asked for release papers from FEU, Pingoy said: "hindi ko pa alam kasi hinold nila ko and then baka hindi i-release."

In a seperate interview, FEU Athletics Director Mark Molina clarifies there was no formal request for release papers from Pingoy's camp. 

However, Molina refuses to answer directly if they are willing to grant Pingoy his release papers should the 20-year old former FEU cager ask for it. 

He said they have players who asked for release players and were allowed by the university to have them. 

DZMM online tried asking Pingoy about this statement from FEU but he already refused to comment further. 

Despite this, Pingoy was all praises and thanks for his former squad. 

"Thankful pa rin ako sa FEU. Kung wala sila wala rin ako ngayon." Photo from FEU official Facebook page