NorthPort Batang Pier’s young superstar and former San Beda University standout, Robert Bolick expressed his opinion on the decision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to ban foreign student-athletes across all sports from playing.

Last June, the NCAA made an announcement that sent shockwaves throughout the collegiate sports scene. No foreign student-athletes will be allowed to play in the league starting season 96 of the league.

“As of the moment, majority of the NCAA schools agree that the presence of imports brings more negative effects, We realized that the presence of players foreign players have done more harm than good [in] basketball,” said NCAA Management Committee Chairman Fr. Vic Calvo of Letran during a Philippines Sportswriter Association (PSA) Forum webinar.

Bolick, who won a three-peat with the Red Lions with foreign teammate Donald Tankoua during his college days, was against the decision of the league and stated that it’s disrespectful to not allow them to play.

“This is just a personal opinion. I think it’s not right and I feel like we disrespected our imports because without them our games would not evolve. Having an import on your team brings out the best in you,” Bolick said during a guest spot in The Athlete’s Corner, a podcast.

“They just want to have an opportunity as well, they come to our country because they see an opportunity to study and to play as well,” he added.

The 24-year-old standout guard had a very successful college career. Aside from winning three championships in the NCAA, he also won a title in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) in 2013 with De La Salle University, where he played with another great foreign big man in Ben Mbala.

Aside from playing with two foreign players in his college career, Bolick also played against multiple foreign players. He took on the likes of Prince Eze, Bright Akhuetie and Mike Nzeusseu, to name a few. He explained that in all his years at the collegiate level, he never encountered a foreign player that with a bad attitude. He also said that the league should allow them to continue to play as it is their way to obtain a degree and have a future outside of basketball.

“I feel like we’re being racist to them by banning them but again, I’m just a basketball player. I don’t know anything politics of the game but I really think we should just let them play. We can help them to graduate because they want a way out from their tough situation in their country,” he said.

“If you look at them, after college what else are they gonna do? Some may play overseas, some may not. But with the degree that they have then they can find a job outside of basketball,” he continued.

Although, Bolick admitted that he is willing to try the plan of the league, he strongly suggests that the foreign players should be allowed to play and continue studying.

“They have a good point on some local bigs are losing opportunity because of it. But it goes both ways, because they are guys that really improved because of them. Let’s see how it goes but I really think we should let those foreign guys play and study here.”