By Kevin Estrada
DASMARIÑAS--If anyone who is most elated by the good news, it has to be the family.
That’s what exactly happened when Jon-Jon Cani felt on Tuesday after receiving news that his son Hubert will finally play in the UAAP after the Board gave him the go signal to suit up for the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Hubert’s father, who is a physical education faculty in De La Salle University–Dasmariñas, became glad with the news that his son will be cleared to play in the upcoming 78th season which tips off on Saturday.
[Related Story: Cani cleared to play for UAAP 78]
[Related Story: Cani cleared to play for UAAP 78]
According to him, he was grateful for the support from the Ateneo community and added that the UAAP Board has finally considered the well-being of the student-athlete in order for his son to play this season.
The elder Cani, also the assistant coach of the Patriots’ men’s basketball team, believed that the signing of RA 10676 or the Student-Athlete Protection Act primarily affected the decision of the board also, which ironically, previously stated two weeks ago that it cannot be applied retroactively in ruling his son ineligible.
The said law was the catalyst for the eventual repeal of the controversial two-year residency rule to high school athletes in the said collegiate league, which was first stopped by the University of the Philippines swimmer Mikee Bartolome in a temporary restraining order by the court last year.
“Siyempre batas na yan eh, so sino ba naman ang tao na hindi susunod sa batas?” quipped the father of the former National U17 standout.
He further added that the law championed academic freedom and its passage was a big help to the incoming student athletes starting next season, saying that what happened to his son will not happen to others.
He added that the entire city of Imus is also excited for his debut for the eight-time UAAP Men’s Basketball Champions. The city is also home to Gilas Pilipinas’ Terrence Romeo and Mapua’s Jesse Saitanan.
“Matagal na nilang hinihintay yan,” he concluded, referring to the Imuseño’s excitement to his son’s much anticipated debut for the Blue Eagles.
Ateneo will face Far Eastern University to open its season on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.