AMATEUR STATUS OF PBL CAGERS QUESTIONED
Manila, Nov. 14, 1998 - Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Domingo Cepeda yesterday raised the issue of the classification of PBL cagers, saying there is reason to believe the Philippine Basketball League is professional and not an amateur league as it labels itself.
"When a player gets paid for his services, he is considered a professional," Cepeda said. "There is also the contract between the player and the team which will serve as basis especially when a substantial amount is concerned."
The status of the PBL became an issue last week when the GAB learned that one of its players has a P2 million, 3-year contract with the one of the teams.
This is what's puzzling. How can they call a P2 million pay merely an allowance and not a salary?" Cepeda asked.
He suggested that the PBL should confess to the Games and Amusements Board what its real status is, and not wait for the GAB to investigate the matter.
Cepeda said if the PBL is amateur, then the league should be under the supervision of the Philippine Sports Commission.
PBL commissioner Yeng Guiao contends that the PBL is a non-profit and non-stock league. He described the PBL as developmental.
"We are basically a developmental league. Our programs are developmental like holding competitions for women, juniors and the most recently, the wheelchair tournament. We are a transition league in the sense that players from the college ranks use the PBL to further enhance their skills before deciding to play in the professional league. Most of the national players are products of the PBL. Kung talagang titingnan natin, ang personality ng PBL ay developmental," explained Guiao.
Guiao explained that the money involved in the player's contract is considered by the PBL as allowance.
"Signing a contract does not make anyone a professional even if it concerns salary. In fact, we don't even call the money our players are receiving as salary, it's still considered as allowance," said Guiao. "Masyadong vague kung pag-uusapan ang tungkol sa perang natatanggap ng players. Wala namang nagsasabi na at a certain amount, you are an amateur and then at a certain amount, you are a professional (It is too vague to discuss this in terms of how much money the players receive. There are no rules that determine at what amount a player is considered professional or amateur)."
Guiao said that although the league is happy with its present status, the PBL will comply if the law requires. "If there is a law that will tell us that we are a professional league, then we have to follow."
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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