The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) will be allowing teams to place two foreign student-athletes (FSAs) in their respective men’s baketball lineups starting Season 89.

But the league assured that local players will not get bumped off by foreigners in the final roster.

UAAP Season 88 president Fr. Rodel Cansancio told DAILY TRIBUNE that having an additional FSA in the roster will serve as an insurance in the event that their original choice gets injured.

He cited the case of National University big man Mo Diassana, who suffered a season-ending injury just a few days after the opening of Season 87 last year.

The league, however, is putting some safety measures to make sure that the new rule of having a pair of FSAs in the final roster will not be abused.

“Only one FSA can play at a time. There’s no reduction in Filipino players — teams can still have 16 locals, or 17 including FSAs. The idea is to serve as an equalizer in case of injury, especially during warm-ups,” Cansancio said in a meeting with select sportswriters recently.

The presence of foreign athletes is being welcomed by the UAAP. For one, the league believes that the collegiate basketball landscape is already becoming global so if players really want to take the professional route, they might as well get used to playing with taller, bigger, stronger foes from other countries.

Former De La Salle University star Kevin Quiambao and University of the Philippines alumnus Carl Tamayo greatly benefitted from playing against FSAs as they are now thriving in the Korean Basketball League and regular members of Gilas Pilipinas.

Even Japan B. League stars Kiefer Ravena and Ray Parks played against the likes of Karim Abdul of UST, Charles Mammie of University of the East and Anthony Hargrove of Far Eastern University during their UAAP stints.

The league, however, will not take opportunities away from local players.

“The concern that this takes opportunities away from homegrown players is understandable, but FSAs are part of internationalization. Our student-athletes are students first, and having international students is aligned with that,” Cansancio said.

“Only one FSA can play at a time. There’s no reduction in Filipino players — teams can still have 16 locals, or 17 including FSAs.”