Image from the University Basketball League.

MANILA, Philippines - They have yet to appoint a new head coach, but the Ateneo Blue Eagles will soon be welcoming another blue chip recruit into its roster.

Reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Juniors' basketball MVP Jerie "Koko" Pingoy will be donning the blue and white when he enters college, Blue Eagles team manager Paolo Trillo confirmed to Rappler.

Pingoy played for Far Eastern University (FEU) in the Juniors division of the UAAP.

He has yet to join the Blue Eagles in their practices, but Trillo says he's more than welcome to, as long as he fulfills his commitments with his high school.

The former Baby Tamaraw, Trillo said, expressed his desire to play and study in Ateneo even before his last year in FEU.

"He's been following the team for 5 or 4 years now. He was in Grade 7 when the Ateneo 5-peat began, that's around the time his interest in the UAAP began," he added.

Complications

Pingoy's plan to move to Ateneo, however, won't be so easy.

According to a earlier tweet by FEU Athletic Director Mark Molina, Pingoy has already signed an agreement with FEU to play with the seniors squad.

@elainespillsitPingoy has signed an agreement to play with FEU srs. Aguilon and Domingo verbally committed but you never know until enrold

— Mark Molina (@marqmolina) October 23, 2012

Molina confirmed the agreement the Pingoy family made with FEU in a later tweet:

To those asking, Pingoy and father signed an agreement with FEU.We hope this will be honored and respected.

— Mark Molina (@marqmolina) October 30, 2012

There's another complication: under existing UAAP rules, incoming freshmen from UAAP schools who transfer to another UAAP school need to sit out one year--unless they are officially released by their first school.

The rule was created to "stop the alleged 'piracy' of high school players" in the UAAP, according to Inboundpass.

Trillo is gladdened but cautious over Pingoy's plan to move to Ateneo.

Last season, the Blue Eagles lost a would-be star recruit in Mark Tallo, who left the team "without consulting [the Blue Eagle management," Trillo said in 2011.

Tallo eventually joined the De La Salle Green Archers.

In an earlier interview with Rappler, Trillo expressed confidence that Ateneo would still attract the best recruits, citing the system set-up by former head coach Norman Black.

Pingoy may be the first such example. -Rappler.com