GAB to clear varsity squads, armed forces to compete as guest team in pros

The Games and Amusements Board will make amendments to the issuance of special guest licenses for amateurs competing in professional leagues.

Top of the government agency’s agenda is allowing collegiate varsity squads and teams from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to act as guest teams in professional leagues. This would mean that all players from those types of teams will have to secure a special guest license.

“Players shall be issued a Special Guest License (SGL) provided that they submit a certification from both their school and athletic association or league; or from their Division/Brigade, as the case may be,” read the draft of the resolution.

Team officials, coaching staff, and other personnel must secure a regular professional license, meanwhile.

This would be in line with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines only allowing their student-athletes to compete in professional leagues only if they are either representing their school or the country (i.e. Gilas or Azkals). Moreover, Premier Volleyball League staples like Air Force and Army and Women’s National Basketball League mainstay Navy can still compete in the pro league.

GAB is also proposing that teams in pro leagues can no longer have a full roster composed of just SGL players.

“The number of amateur players with SGL in a professional team shall be no more than 33-percent (1/3) of the total number of players in the team,” the resolution read.

In addition, GAB is proposing that “all amateur players with SGL in a professional team shall not be allowed to play simultaneously in the court.”

Professional leagues must also maintain a pro-amateur team ratio of 51-49. This means that pro squads must always be more than amateur clubs in a tournament.

Back in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup, league commissioner Eric Altamirano only gave special guest licenses to the majority of the league. Only a few received pro licenses.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association had already said that it will allow their student-athletes to be given an SGL for as long as they seek clearance from their school and the league.