UAAP referees call out pay gap in officiating between men’s and women’s basketball games

UAAP referees have expressed their dismay over unequal compensation in the officiating between the league’s men’s and women’s basketball divisions.

According to reports from SPIN.ph, referees who officiated women’s games were allegedly compensated less than those who officiated the men’s matches.

UAAP commissioner Jai Reyes defended the pay gap, citing the difference in flows between the two divisions.

“Mas mabilis ang laro sa lalaki, so mas mahirap siyang pituhan,” Reyes told SPIN.ph.

Referees officiating the women’s and girls’ divisions reportedly receive P2,000 each game, P1,000 and P500 lower than those who officiate the men’s and boys’ games, respectively. In season 87, referees were reportedly paid P2,500 per game across all divisions.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ for referees for men’s games
2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ for referees for women’s games

As per #UAAPSeason88 basketball commissioner Jai Reyes, the difference is due to “difficulty of the division they’re officiating.”https://t.co/BjId11PKIY

— SPIN.ph (@spinph) September 25, 2025

The pay changes were reportedly only known by the league referees after receiving their compensation following Wednesday’s UAAP games.

According to league rules, there are no differences in officiating across all basketball divisions, which follow FIBA rules.

The allegations came before the UAAP suspended referees Kenny Regino, Oliver Angeles, and Manuel Felix Jr, due to the late-game blunders made in the game between the Adamson Soaring Falcons and UP Fighting Maroons, wherein the Soaring Falcons fielded only four players from the 1:30 mark to the 1:10 mark.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and join the community of passionate basketball fans.