Martin San Diego | FCF

Anna Dominique “Mikee” Bartolome can now swim for UP’s 5-peat bid.

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ (UAAP) controversial residency rule on freshman athletes is nullified at the moment after Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 226  issued a temporary restraining order in response to a complaint filed by Bartolome against the league and her high school alma mater University of Santo Tomas.

“It is already sad to note that an excellent athlete… shall be denied the right to participate in competitions where she can fully exercise her talent and bring honor and medals to her team just because of the two-year residency rule,” Judge Manuel Sta. Cruz, Jr.opined in a four-page order.

“Talents and gifts like hers should be given the best of opportunity (sic) to develop and grow. It should be encouraged and not restrained by rules that would defeat the purpose of athletic competition and the denial of its free exercise,” he continued.

The ruling came after Bartolome filed a complaint for permanent injunction on said rule last August 30.
The UAAP board last April approved a resolution that orders incoming college freshman athletes who have graduated from a UAAP member high school but enrolled in another UAAP member college, unless his or her high school has approved his or her release papers.

With the TRO, Bartolome may now compete in the upcoming UAAP swimming competitions for the defending four-peat champions UP Lady Maroons.

Here is a copy of the court order: