Quinito Henson: "FSA Doesn't Have A Place In The UAAP"

Sportscaster and media personality Quinito Henson ruffled a few feathers when he suggested that the University Athletic Association of the Philippines(UAAP) do away with Foreign Students Athletes (FSAs) in basketball games.

Henson clarified recently that "he doesn't mean to be discriminatory and he is not a racist", but the presence of FSAs have tempered the growth of local players.

Despite his alma matter, La Salle, greatly benefitted from the presence of dominant FSAs like Ben Mbala in the past, Henson maintained that "the whole team revolves around that player (FSA). Come on. You know, we're a Filipino league."

Mbala is a native of Cameroon and played for the DLSU Green Archers from 2016 to 2017, leading them to the championship in 2016, and was a dominant force as a two-time MVP.

Unlike the UAAP, Henson praised the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for being more "progressive" because they have taken out the FSAs.

"I mean, the NCAA has taken that major step to eliminate FSAs for a reason. I believe in that reason. I feel that the UAAP should follow what the NCAA (did)," Henson said.

To prove his point, the veteran journalist cited current Meralco big man Raymond Almazan, who developed his dominance in the league as a player of Letran University. Henson believed that Almazan probably wouldn't have a breakout season in the NCAA if every team there had an FSA.

On the contention that FSAs bring with them more skills, experience and poses as a challenge for local players, Henson has this to say, "I don't think so because these foreign student athletes are really not at a level of guys who will be able to dominate internationally. Ben Mbala, for instance, he's struggling overseas."

However, Henson did not really dig deep to analyze the issue. Sure, a lot of the FSA (especially the one and done) are already college grads. They come here and play one year then leave for a pro league (local or abroad).

Yet, the presence of FSAs will allow more Filipino players to develop their small bigs with wing skills which is a great area to focus because we don't have that many quality tall players. Also, local players will be toughened by playing against their FSA counterparts.

In response to Henson’s opinion, two-time UAAP MVP Kiefer Ravena countered that playing against these foreign student athletes helped prepare him for his pro career, particularly now in Japan because they "all made my game better."