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Pingoy Rule: Never look back.

Along with being a champion and back-to-back UAAP juniors MVP, Jerie Pingoy is best known for a league rule that was put in effect after his actions.

There's even a possibility that many know the Far Eastern University-Diliman's once promising prospect just from having been the poster boy of the so-called "Pingoy Rule."

Back in 2012, Pingoy had for himself a title run and a second straight top individual player award in his last year in high school.

And so, more than a few were interested in securing the services of the 5-foot-11 point guard.

Ultimately, the decision came down to moving on up to FEU's seniors squad or moving on to Ateneo de Manila University.

The latter was what Pingoy decided to be best for him.

Not long after, the league instituted a new rule that required a two-year residency for student-athletes who transfer from one UAAP high school to another UAAP college.

As such, the then-18-year-old was forced to stay on the sidelines for two years.

And even then, he already knew how much those two years would mean to his future.

Fast forward to now and Pingoy is far removed from being a true blue-chip recruit out of high school or even a talented transferee in college.

Now, he is just like any other player hoping for another shot to prove himself.

Now, the Cebuano could only rue what could have been. "Unang-una, nasasayangan ako sa years na di ako nakapaglaro. Kung nakapaglaro ako ng dalawang taon, mag-iiba 'yung takbo ng panahon," he said in a phone interview.

He then continued, "Di magiging ganito."

Code red

Momentum is a true thing in sports, much more in basketball where the action goes on and on and on.

And coming off a championship and back-to-back MVPs, Pingoy's confidence and capabilities were as high as they have been as he took on a new challenge in Ateneo.

Only, he was not eligible to play in the UAAP seniors just yet.

Simply put, Pingoy lost all the momentum he already had after leaving FEU-Diliman.

"For sure, mag-iiba talaga 'yung laro ko kapag nakapag-start ako agad. Once makapaglaro ako right after high school, mas magiging mature ako, mas malalaman ko agad 'yung laro sa college," he shared.

He then continued, "Hindi ko natantsa agad sa Ateneo na ganu'n pala sa college. Nu'ng naglaro na ako, di na ako rookie sa age, pero rookie pa rin ako sa laro."

Indeed, after putting up per game counts of 21 points to go along with 5.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.1 steals in his championship and MVP season as a Baby Tamaraw, two years later, he averaged 3.5 points and 2.8 assists as a rookie Blue Eagle.

For Pingoy's former mentor, it was clear as day that the long layoff, as well as all the talk surrounding his decision, had a negative effect.

"May impact sa bata 'yung nangyari kasi naka-distract lahat 'yun sa pag-usad ng career niya. Sa tingin ko lang, if he (would have stayed) in FEU, magkakaroon siya ng peace of mind," former FEU-Diliman head coach Mike Oliver answered when asked to look back at one of the most controversial college commitments the country has witnessed.

He also added, " 'Yung nangyari kasi, because naging talk of the town siya, I think nagkaroon ng malaking pressure sa kanya every time na maglalaro siya, he has to show how good he really is."

Gold is gold

Of course, Pingoy was still seeing action, albeit with Ateneo's Team Glory Be on the smaller stage and under the dimmer lights of minor tournaments like the Fr. Martin Cup.

Still, that could not compare to the competition of the UAAP, a level of competition that was already at the tip of his fingers in high school and only needed to be grasped in college.

"Nahirapan akong mag-adjust kasi for two years, 'di ko naman alam laro ng Team A. Siyempre, iba naman yung nasa Team B kasi iba pa rin yung nandun ka (sa UAAP) at nakakalaro kahit konti lang," he said.

Still, years later, Pingoy has no regrets about transferring to Katipunan. As he put it, "Nalungkot lang ako kasi nga sayang, pero di ako nagsisisi."

And while he did not necessarily tap into his potential, he remains nothing but proud of his time wearing the blue and white, from Team Glory Be to the Blue Eagles. "Proud ako na 'yung batch namin nina Fonzo Gotladera 'yung unang Team B na nag-champion. Masayang-masaya ako du'n," he shared.

He then continued, "At least, nakapabigay ako ng isang championship sa Ateneo, kahit Team B lang."

At the same time, Pingoy said he also made it a point then to get to know the Atenean way. "Sa Ateneo, tinuturo maging 'man for others.' 'Yun talaga ang natutunan ko du'n aside from matututong mag-English," he shared with a laugh.

He then continued, "Pero ngayong naaalala ko nga, iba talaga sa Ateneo. Magiging wiser ka talaga eh."

White light

That wisdom has apparently allowed Pingoy to bear no ill will toward those who disagreed with his decision.

From then to now, he remains adamant that he has no problems whatsoever against the ill-fated Pingoy Rule. "Di talaga ako nagalit kahit kanino. Iniisip ko lang lagi that time na OK lang 'yan and everything happens for a reason," he said.

He then continued, "Kung ginagawa nila 'yun, ibig sabihin, ayaw ka nila."

Now, the Pingoy Rule is no more as Congress had passed the "Student-Athlete Protection Act (SAPA)" which, for one thing, prohibits residency rules on high school graduates transferring to a different school for college.

If this were already law before he committed to any college, he wouldn’t have had to undergo residency at all.

However, the SAPA was passed in 2015 and by then, Pingoy had already served two years.

Meaning, it was a case of too late the hero.

While it didn't do him any favors personally, though, Pingoy is nothing but glad to have been part of a much-welcome change. "Deep inside, naramdaman ko rin naman dating napaka-unfair nila, pero ngayon, OK na 'yun. Unfair sa akin dati, pero masaya ako ngayon kasi 'yung mga bata, makakapili na ng school na gusto nila talaga," he said.

He then continued, "Sobrang masaya ako du'n. Sobrang thankful ako dun."

That means that now, any recruit, from blue-chippers to solid players, could choose whatever college they want without having to think that they could lose their momentum from high school.

Indeed, he could rest assured that anybody as highly recruited as he was would now be free to decide what’s best for them.

However, it may very well take some time before we witness anybody like him because without a doubt, Jerie Pingoy was a man among boys in high school.

NEXT ON BEST-OF-5 SERIES: THE PINGOY RULES: "Ateneo gave me an opportunity na matulungan yung family ko. I wasn't thinking of myself lang that time. The opportunity was there e, why not grab it?"

Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website).