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| Jordan Clarkson stays "restricted" even if FIBA amended its passport eligibility. Kennelf Monteza (file photo) |
MANILA--Those clamoring to see more Filipino players of mixed descent join Gilas Pilipinas following the amended rules on passport eligibility may need to hold their horses in the meantime, as FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis clarified that the new regulations are not retroactive.
This implies that players already ruled as "restricted", previously known as "naturalized", in the old passport clause may no longer be reclassified as locals for their national teams even if they can prove they got their passports before turning 18.
"The new rule does not apply retroactively, so players who haven't been declared eligible under the old rule will not be re-evaluated," Zagklis said in FIBA's annual year-end press conference on Tuesday.
Under the old rules, only players who can show that they acquired their domestic passports before they turned 16 can be classified as locals, with special exemptions given to players who have stayed long enough in the country they want to represent.
However, FIBA's central board approved on Friday the amendment, which adjusts the passport eligibility age to 18.
Despite the new rule, though, it only applies to incoming prospects who have yet to commit to a senior team of their liking.
"As of last Friday, it applies to new applications for new players that we have not determined the national status. We need to be clear on that," Zagklis further said.
He added that this landmark ruling is part of FIBA's initiative to align its resolutions with changes happening around the world.
"It is an important decision of the central board, looking at today's world," Zagklis continued, citing the roles of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas' two representatives to the FIBA central board, former president Al Panlilio and current executive director Erika Dy in making the new passport rule happen.
In particular, Zagklis noted the fast-rising number of migrations in recent years.
"I think it is a new balance in the eligibility, considering the large migration flows around the world in today's society," he further said.
The said factor may have also led to FIBA's other national team eligibility resolution, barring players from switching FIBA nationalities if they already played for their current country's senior national team in a FIBA-sanctioned tournament.
