With the opening of the 86th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, or UAAP, around the corner, college sports is again a hot topic.

College sports in the Philippines have always been a source of pride, passion, and entertainment.

Thousands of fans tune in to watch their favorite collegiate teams compete, and the athletes often become household names. However, behind the excitement and pageantry of college sports, the issue of maintaining amateurism remains a contentious one.

The question of amateurism is especially relevant in college basketball, where allowances are rumored to be in the tens and even hundreds of thousands of pesos for certain athletes, above and beyond what is required for basic needs like food and training equipment.

Basketball coaches have been crying foul over what they purport to be outrageous deals being made behind closed doors just for schools to secure prize athletes.

It often seems like the sky is the limit with the benefits given to student-athletes, and the question that many people ask is, shouldn't we be putting a cap on the amount of benefits that student-athletes get?

Under the Student-Athletes Protection Act, colleges and universities may grant a deserving student-athlete several standard benefits and incentives, such as free tuition and miscellaneous school fees, board and lodging, school and athletic uniforms, and free medical consults and examinations, as well as a living allowance.

Many argue, however, that there should be a cap on the allowances that student-athletes receive, and the law does allow for such limits to be imposed in that the amount of allowances must be set and standardized by the athletic association with which the school is affiliated.

So far, however, the athletic association has yet to set a cap or a standard allowance that their member schools can give. Living expenses vary across colleges and universities, which is why it has been a struggle to enforce a limit on student-athlete allowances. Placing a hard cap on living allowances would be counterproductive.

Student-athletes face unique challenges as they juggle the demands of academics and sports. These challenges include long training hours, travel for games, and the physical and mental strain that comes with competing at a high level. Student-athletes' hardships can only be recognized if they are compensated for their efforts in the form of allowances. Allowances help alleviate some of the financial burden associated with being a student-athlete, allowing them to focus on excelling both in their sport and the classroom.

Colleges and universities profit from their student-athletes talent and hard work, not to mention the school pride they bring, so they should rightfully be provided a generous allowance.

Putting a hard cap on living allowances amounts to a penalty on talent and hard work, which is unjust considering the amount of time and effort schools demand from their student-athletes.

By recognizing the financial challenges student-athletes face and providing substantial support, colleges and universities will not only be helping these young individuals excel in their chosen sports and equip them with the tools and resources to succeed in life beyond the playing field.

By so doing, athletic associations like the UAAP will not only elevate the quality of collegiate sports in the Philippines but also nurture well-rounded, resilient individuals who will positively impact society. It is only fitting that student-athletes be provided with a living allowance commensurate to their talent, hard work and sacrifice.