How a controversial pay scale reshaped UAAP referee compensation
In short: When the UAAP Season 88 basketball tournaments introduced a tiered pay system for referees, it sparked a backlash. While officials initially earned less for women's and girls' matches, a swift policy revision changed everything, shifting the focus from the gender of the players to the professional status of the officials.
The UAAP Season 88 basketball tournaments, hosted by the University of Santo Tomas, faced early administrative friction regarding officiating pay. Initially, the league implemented a tiered compensation structure: men's tournament referees received ₱3,000 per game, boys' tournament referees earned ₱2,500, and referees for girls' and women's tournaments were paid ₱2,000. This was a departure from the previous season, where referees received a flat ₱2,500 per game regardless of the tournament.
The new system drew significant criticism from players and coaches in women's tournaments, who felt the reduction in pay was offensive. Commissioner Jai Reyes defended the disparity by arguing that men's tournaments require a faster pace of play, justifying higher compensation. However, the controversy led to a rapid policy shift. By October 22, the commissioner's office revised the compensation model to be based on the referees' professional status rather than the tournament or the sex of the participants.
Beyond the officiating debate, the season saw significant logistical and competitive shifts. Due to the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship, several venues were unavailable during the first week, forcing the University of Santo Tomas to host games at its on-campus Quadricentennial Pavilion. On the court, the season concluded with the De La Salle Green Archers defeating the UP Fighting Maroons to claim the championship, marking the first time since 2014 that a 4th seed has won the title.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: UAAP Season 88 basketball tournaments
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