The Tug of War for Hubert Cani

MANILA, Philippines – In Season 76 of the UAAP, Hubert Cani was having the time of his life on the basketball court. 

In his third playing season with the NU Bullpups and last year of high school, the former La Salle Greenhills player was strengthening his reputation as one of the top young basketball prospects in the country. Cani led the league in assists and was included in the tournament’s Mythical 5 team. After leading the Bullpups to a sensational 14-0 standing in the elimination round, the 5-foot-11 star in the making was fantastic in the finals as well, spearheading his squad past Ateneo, which was guided by league MVP Thirdy Ravena, in a two-game sweep.

For his heroics, Cani was named Finals MVP after what was likely his last game as part of NU. The crafty playmaker had made plans of moving to Ateneo for his college basketball career, but with the two-year residency policy of the UAAP looming large, an opportunity to wear a Blue Eagles jersey was not imminent. Still, Cani elected to take his talents to Katipunan, where he met uncertainty.

Without a release from National University – specifically Mr. Hans Sy – Cani will have to undergo a waiting period due to league policies. However, that could be altered if Senator Pia Cayetano’s Senate Bill 2226, known as the Student Athletes Protection Act, manages to get enacted just in time before the league’s deadline for submission of rosters. 

A lot of factors have played into the Hubert Cani situation, and a lot more will before NU officially gives its final verdict on whether or not their former high school star can play in college for another team, and what comes next. Over the past few days, Rappler has talked to a number of personalities on the issue, hoping to get some clarity on everything that is going on. 

Here’s what we know so far:

The Prequel

While Cani was dropping dimes, scoring buckets, and leading his team to multiple wins, reports sent shockwaves across the entire collegiate basketball landscape. Ben Mbala, the star big man of Southwestern University in Cebu, had opted to transfer to De La Salle University Green Archers after he impressed La Salle brass in the FilOil tournament.

La Salle, which was already stacked with multiple talented big men, were adding another huge piece to the puzzle – one who could potentially help them start a dynasty. Simultaneously, Ateneo was waiting on Jerie Pingoy, a former superstar of FEU in the UAAP junior’s division who, like Cani later on, also opted to transfer to Loyola Heights after erecting a fantastic high school career for the Baby Tamaraws.

FEU was irate. They had bred a potential collegiate superstar, only to watch him break their hearts, saying that he wanted to play for one of the university’s main basketball rivals instead. It also played a huge factor in shaping Cani’s current situation, along with La Salle’s acquisition of Mbala.

“This Cani Rule, the Pingoy Rule, and the Mbala rule, it’s really bad,” a source close to the UAAP board relayed to Rappler in an exclusive phone conversation.

The source, who prefers to remain anonymous due to personal reasons, added that the inception of the two-year residency stemmed from two universities.

“Yung concept, nag umpisa sa UST at sa FEU,” said the source, who later added that FEU joined in on the proposed rule change “dahil kay Pingoy. (because of Pingoy.)”

(The concept, it started with UST and FEU.)

After initial discussions, the board decided to put the matter to vote, along with when the rule would be effective should it attain a majority.

“If you looked at everybody, there’s was a little stake at it for all, so the rule sounded okay. With the two-year rule, it’s either you don’t release or you release. But if you release, automatic play [for the athlete who wants to transfer.],” added the source, further explaining the thought process behind the residency rule.

So the vote within the different schools’ representatives took place, with agreement to the proposed change triumphing, 6-2. According to the source, only UP and Ateneo voted against the alteration.

However, what many forget to remember is that the passing of the two-year residency rule for transferees does not only apply to basketball players, but for every other sport in the UAAP as well.

This principle influenced the decision of La Salle, which voted for the two-year policy even if it meant having to ask Mbala to be a little more patient.

“DLSU agreed to the rule because of other sports: badminton, softball, and so on and so forth,” said a source inside La Salle, who requested for anonymity. He went on to explain that most non-basketball athletes of DLSU’s junior’s school, De La Salle Zobel, were getting snagged by other colleges, which was why the Taft-based university opted to not vote against the residency requirement for transferees.

While all of this was happening, Cani was busy enhancing his name in the amateur basketball scenery. NU, obviously, tried its best to retain the services of the multi-talented point guard for college, but that didn’t stop rival institutions from calling.

“I had two priorities in my mind of entering college since I was in high school: Ateneo and La Salle. A lot of kids dream to be part of those teams, and I’m just lucky that the best two schools were interested in my playing skills,” Hubert Cani shared in an exclusive one-on-one with Rappler.com. 

Cani continued on, arguing that anyone would be tempted by the prospect of representing either Ateneo or La Salle in the collegiate ranks. Did this mean he cancelled out playing for the Bulldogs as an option? Of course not. But, putting everything into perspective, the chance of playing for either Ateneo or La Salle should, at the least, be considered, according to him.

“Sino naman po ba ang tatanggi kung sila (Ateneo or La Salle) na ang nag aalok sa inyo nang magandang future not just in basketball, but the practicality of life na pwede nilang maitulong after basketball?” He asked.

(Who would refuse if Ateneo or La Salle offered a bright future not only in basketball, but also in life after basketball?)

When reached for comment on Cani’s recruitment, the source from DLSU did not shy away from confirming that DLSU, in fact, was very high on attaining the NU Bullpup, despite him playing a position they already had many options for.

“Like all other schools, we scouted him, we liked him, and we asked him to join us,” the source explained. “We’ll offer, and if he doesn’t like, we will not force” was their mentality.

“But nag ‘bubusina’ kami,” he added.

Making “busina” is the process where a school interested to recruit an athlete tells his current or former institution that they plan on fighting for his services. DLSU did just this, informing NU that they were in the bidding war for Cani.

“Out of respect, you always tell the other school. We informed Junel Baculi (Sports Athletic Director of NU) about it.”

And what was Baculi’s response? 

“His lines were, ‘Well, pagalingan nalang.’” (Let’s just see who is better.)

Eventually, though, Cani spurred NU and La Salle, choosing to instead pick ADMU, which had managed to collect a number of other talented recruits: Arvin Tolentino, Thirdy Ravena, and Clint Doliguez, among others.

“Alam po ninyo, nag practice ako sa NU, La Salle, at Ateneo, iba-iba po ang system nila. Sa Ateneo, pasok po ako sa style of game nila. Sa NU, maraming guards, almost four sa rotation, tapos may recruit pa silang bago,” said Cani, justifying his choice to become a Blue Eagle. 

(I practiced at NU, La Salle, and Ateneo, and they each have different systems. I fit in with Ateneo. At NU, they have a lot of guards, almost four, and they have an incoming recruit.)

“Sa La Salle po, three yung legit nila na guards, so pang apat po ako. Sa Ateneo, dalawa lang kami ni Jerie. Si Nico and Isaac parang last year na po nila, kaya sakto lng sa kanina ako lalaro.”

(At La Salle, they have three legit guards, so I would be the fourth. At Ateneo, it’s only me and Jerie. Nico and Isaac are in their last years.)

With his decision finalized, Cani feared that NU would refuse to sign his release papers, not granting him permission to play right away for Ateneo. He didn’t want to go through the same ordeal as Pingoy, who sat out due to the lack of cooperation from FEU.

“Nag-paalam po kami kay Sir Nilo Ocampo and sir Junel Baculi. Fourth year pa lang ako, sa tulong ni mommy, kasi staff siya ni Sir Baculi at that time. Nag rerequest na po kami ng release kasi ayaw namin magaya kay Jerie Pingoy na na-hold nang FEU,” Cani recalled.

(We asked permission from Sir Nilo Ocampo and Sir Junel Baculi. I was in fourth year, with my mom’s help, because she was a part of Sir Baculi’s staff at that time. We requested for a release because we didn’t want to go through the same thing Jerie Pingoy did with FEU.)

Still, Cani and his mom wanted to be certain, so they requested Mr. Ocampo and Mr. Baculi to have the agreement in print, signifying that the kid would be granted his release.

“Ang sabi po nina Sir Nilo and Sir Junel, wala naman daw problema sa release dahil mabait naman Si Sir Hans Sy. Nag sabi ang mommy ko na gawan nang black and white agreement. Pero sabi ni Sir Nilo na di na kailangan dahil wala namang magiging problema, at naniwala po ang mommy ko. Para pong verbal agreement or gentleman’s agreement,” Cani explained his side of the story.

(Sir Nilo and Sir Junel said that there would be no problem with the release because Sir Hans Sy is kind. My mom asked if there could be a black and white agreement. But Sir Nilo said that it wasn’t needed and there would be no problems, and my mom believed him. It was like a verbal agreement or gentleman’s agreement.)

However, there are two sides to the affairs, and one of the characters in Cani’s claim has refuted what the former NU high school star says.

“We never said we will release him. Maybe he dreamt it,” mentioned Baculi in an exclusive conversation with Rappler.

A Race Against Time

Cani hopes to play for Ateneo this season, noting that building a foundation with the team’s other rookie recruits will be fantastic as they look to once again become champions.

“If I can play with Ateneo this coming UAAP season, I will give my best and full effort to be able to win. We will give 100% skills and determination, 100% heart, and expect the run-and-gun type of play,” Hubert warned, talking about how lethal the Blue Eagles can be in creating turnovers and getting out on the break.

But if Cani doesn’t get a release from NU, he will not see action. And right now, that seems to be the case.

“If NU does not release, there will be no chance,” said the source close to the UAAP board, who said that Mr. Sy and National University may choose to go this route “because they lost (Bobby Ray) Parks,” who is determined to either make it to the NBA or enter the PBA.

Baculi, meanwhile, all but confirmed that Mr. Sy will not grant Cani his release, for a couple of reasons.

“Our Chairman, Hans Sy, told me he should undergo residency if he will not join our senior’s varsity team. We nurtured his high school studies and playing career when no other school or university wanted to gamble on him. We developed his skills to where it is right now. That was our (NU’s) role.”

On the other hand, Cani is disappointed that NU revealed its intentions to not release him to the public, and is still hoping that they consider his plea.

“[I’m] sad because I wasn’t expecting them (NU) to bring up the status of my release to the media,” Cani admitted, before saying that he hopes “they read my mother’s letter appealing my release.”

The letter was also revealed to the public a few days ago.

The ultimate verdict comes down to Mr. Sy, who Cani admitted always seemed to bring out the best in him and his former teammates during gameplay.

“Si Sir Hans Sy po, malimit po manood nang game yan at inspirado kami pag nandiyan siya,” Cani said, explaining his relationship with Hans Sy. (Sir Hans Sy, he watched our games limitedly and we were always inspired to play when he was around.)

“Sakanya po maggagaling ang desisyon. Sana lang po nakarating na sakanya ang letter ni mommy.” (The decision will come from him. I hope he got the letter written by my mom.)

Another Way Out?

A few months back, Philippine politician Pia Cayetano began a crusade against the UAAP to put a halt to the two-year residency rule. 

“I think malinaw na malinaw na yung two-year residency rule na yan is a bad rule,” Cayetano mentioned back on April 10. (I think it’s clear that the two-year residency rule is a bad rule.) Ever since, she’s been dedicated to fighting the provision, looking to find ways for someone like Cani to play for the college they should have the liberty of choosing without strings attached.

Senate Bill 2226 has been passed for the third and final reading, but some have doubts that there is enough time for Cani to make the UAAP deadline for roster submissions.

“It’s a race against time because although she had it approved at the senate, she has to still have it approved at the lower house,” the UAAP source noted. “Next month na yung senate and congress. I don’t think makakahabol yung magna carta.”

(The senate and congress is next month. I don’t think the magna carta can make it in time.)

While Cani knows nothing is assured, he is thankful to Ms. Cayetano and her efforts for what Hubert feels is an unjust principle that UAAP high school athletes are being forced to follow.

“I’m thankful to Pia Cayetano, and binibigyan niya ako nang motivation na pipiliin ko saan ako sasaya mag aral at mag laro nang basketball.”

(I’m thankful to Pia Cayetano, and she gives me motivation to pick where I would be happy to study and play basketball.)

He continued: “Sa pag alis nang two-year residency, tama po yon. High School po kami at may karapatan kami na maka punta sa ibang school sa college na alam namin na malaki ang maitutulong saamin.”

(The taking out of the two-year residency rule, it’s the right thing to do. We’re high school students, and we have the right to go to a college where we know we can get a lot of help.)

Still, what comes next is out of Cani’s power. There have also been mentions that the technicalities in Cayetano’s bill might be changed, as her team might opt to decrease the two-year residency period to one year instead of canceling out the waiting time completely. 

Ateneo head coach Bo Perasol, who’s been mentoring Cani in practice over the past few months, also chimed in on the issue:

“When I recruited Hubert, I recruited him purely duon sa skills niya (because of his skills.),” he said. “Obviously, yung release sakanya, prerogative nang mother school.” (Obviously, his release, it’s the prerogative of his mother school.)

“He would really be of help to us if ma-release siya (he gets released) and I hope it’s this season.”

But based on the information presented right now, it’s almost assured that NU won’t grant Cani his release. “We respect their (Cani’s family) decision. I hope they will respect National U’s decision on this matter,” said Baculi.

He added: “Finally, I hope they will respect the rules of the UAAP.”

While many might condemn NU for preventing the young star’s release, they are operating within the rules and implementations presented by the UAAP, which puts them at no fault whatsoever.

It Is What It Is

Will Cani sit out two years? The answer is no, most likely. There have been discussions inside the UAAP to reduce the two-year residency period to one-year – similar to the alteration that has been reportedly made in Cayetano’s bill – beginning Season 78 in 2015. 

“The (school) presidents already agreed with each other that the two-year residency will not take effect anymore in Season 78. In fact, this year, dapat one foreigner rule lang. Pero may mga nag appeal,” the source close to the UAAP board said, without going into the specifics of which universities appealed.

(This year, there should be only one foreigner per team rule. But there were those who appealed.)

But as for playing in 2014, the signs aren’t aligning toward a “yes” for Cani.

It’s no secret that an athlete’s choice to play for whatever college he chooses should not come with consequences – especially not as severe as what Cani, Pingoy, Mbala, and many others must be going through. But it is what it is, however unfortunate it may be.

Maybe Hubert Cani is just a victim of the system. Maybe not.

You be the judge. – Rappler.com