PBA Commissioner Chito Salud yesterday declared that he will not
hesitate to throw the book at erring teams if he established proof of
alleged salary cap violations.
“Should I find actionable cases of salary cap breach, I will not waste
time sanctioning the guilty parties. Violators be warned,” Salud
cautioned.
In the same breath, the PBA chieftain also reminded Alaska team owner
Wilfred Uytengsu to be careful with his allegations of salary cap
violations by some teams.
During a press conference last Thursday, the outspoken executive said
his team would leave the PBA if the league can’t control salary cap
violations.
“The matters that he brought up, particularly the alleged violations
of salary cap, are critical issues which must be discussed in
reasonable manner, primarily within the confines of the PBA board
room.
“To be clear, what Mr. Uytengsu advocates -- the upholding of the
rules of the league -- is also my advocacy. I believe that the vast
majority of our players and team officials abide by the rules, so it
is unfair to tar them with sweeping statements,” Salud said.
“Let’s call a spade, a spade. By its very nature, this is one issue
where proof is hard to come by and inuendos easy to make. But it does
not mean it does not happen.”
At present there are 15 players who are being paid the maximum salary
out of the 140 or so players with live contracts in the PBA.
Salud revealed they are being monitored by the Commissioner’s Office
along with other players who are being paid close to the maximum
salary.
He stressed that he has taken a pro-active position on the matter, but
with discretion on the issue by not being vocal about it to prevent a
trial by publicity.
“There are legitimate reasons for a player to move from one team to
another; better chance at a championship, better coach-player
chemistry, more playing time, etc. In short, it’s not just about the
money,” Salud stressed.
Salud stressed that he strictly examines player movement and decides
to look deeper into it if he finds reason to so.
He said it is not true that nothing can be done to address the issue.
“I can bring in external parties, if necessary, to allow for deeper
scrutiny.
“I will consult with all the team owners individually and harness
their collective experience and viewpoint on the matter to resolve
once and for all accusations of salary cap violations,” he said.(pr)
Monday, September 5, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
One banner season deserves another
HONG KONG – One banner season deserves another.
The considerable gains attained by the Philippine
Basketball Association (PBA) last year has made new chairman Mamerto
Mondragon of Rain or Shine optimistic about the new playing calendar
of the league set to kick off on Oct. 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Part of that optimism is matching, or even surpassing
the P90 million gross receipt posted by the league under Mondragon’s
predecessor, Rene Pardo of B-Meg.
“It’s attainable,” said Mondragon, who has been
associated with the Rain or Shine franchise for a long time now.
The soft-spoken league official said the backing of
the rest of the Board and commissioner Chito Salud makes the objective
realistic enough.
“I’m still feeling my way around,”Mondragon said.
“Medyo nangangapa pa. Anyway, andiyan pa rin yung mga Governors, so
they are there to assist me”
Pardo assured his successor of the Board’s all-out
support to the chairmanship of Mondragon, the way he was backed during
this term.
“I’m sure Atty. Mondragon is very able. And he will have the 100
percent support of everybody,” said the former PBA chairman.
The entry of a new coveror in TV5, the retention of the three
conference format, and the significant increase in attendance are some
of the factors Mondragon cited that could help the league sustain the
success achieved last year.
The entry of rookie players, especially those coming
from the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas team, is expected to give a breath of
fresh air to the league, according to the chairman, whose team
acquired streak-shooting guard Paul Lee of University of the East with
the no. 2 overall pick in the recent Rookie Draft.
The unlimited height ceiling for imports in the second
conference as approved by the Board during its annual planning session
here, could also add new spice to the season, Mondragon added.
“With some improvements, we strongly believe we have
another winner this coming season,” said the chairman.
And then there’s TV5, which sealed a deal to be the
official coveror of the PBA for the next five years.
“We (TV5) trust them, and nangako naman sila that they
will definitely try to make a difference,” the chairman pointed
out.(pr)
The considerable gains attained by the Philippine
Basketball Association (PBA) last year has made new chairman Mamerto
Mondragon of Rain or Shine optimistic about the new playing calendar
of the league set to kick off on Oct. 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Part of that optimism is matching, or even surpassing
the P90 million gross receipt posted by the league under Mondragon’s
predecessor, Rene Pardo of B-Meg.
“It’s attainable,” said Mondragon, who has been
associated with the Rain or Shine franchise for a long time now.
The soft-spoken league official said the backing of
the rest of the Board and commissioner Chito Salud makes the objective
realistic enough.
“I’m still feeling my way around,”Mondragon said.
“Medyo nangangapa pa. Anyway, andiyan pa rin yung mga Governors, so
they are there to assist me”
Pardo assured his successor of the Board’s all-out
support to the chairmanship of Mondragon, the way he was backed during
this term.
“I’m sure Atty. Mondragon is very able. And he will have the 100
percent support of everybody,” said the former PBA chairman.
The entry of a new coveror in TV5, the retention of the three
conference format, and the significant increase in attendance are some
of the factors Mondragon cited that could help the league sustain the
success achieved last year.
The entry of rookie players, especially those coming
from the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas team, is expected to give a breath of
fresh air to the league, according to the chairman, whose team
acquired streak-shooting guard Paul Lee of University of the East with
the no. 2 overall pick in the recent Rookie Draft.
The unlimited height ceiling for imports in the second
conference as approved by the Board during its annual planning session
here, could also add new spice to the season, Mondragon added.
“With some improvements, we strongly believe we have
another winner this coming season,” said the chairman.
And then there’s TV5, which sealed a deal to be the
official coveror of the PBA for the next five years.
“We (TV5) trust them, and nangako naman sila that they
will definitely try to make a difference,” the chairman pointed
out.(pr)
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Guards hot commodity in PBA Annual Draft
JV Casio and Paul Lee.
With basically a guard loaded PBA Rookie Draft, the names of both
Casio and Lee have emerged as the consensus top two picks in the
annual proceedings set on Sunday at the Robinsons Place Manila.
Casio specifically, has been on the radar of several teams owing
solely to his brilliant backcourt manning of Smart Gilas-Pilipinas.
Even Ato Agustin, coach of newly crowned Governors Cup champion
Petron, covets the services of the 5-foot-10 Casio or the 6-foot Lee.
“Ako JV (Casio) or (Paul) Lee. Yun, e kung aabot sa amin,” he said,
resigned to the fact that with the Boosters picking at no. 8, there is
no way will he ever get to tab either one of the two heady and hot
shooting point guards.
Junel Baculi, the comebacking mentor of Bakaro Bull (formerly Air21)
also has Casio and Lee high on his list, but would rather keep to his
chest whom the Energy Boosters will be selecting with the no. 3 pick
“With no dominant big man available, you can see who are the possible
top five picks,” said the coach with the booming voice, mentioning
aside from the two, Smart Gilas stalwarts Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz
and Mac Baracael, but not necessarily in that order.
Bo Perasol, whose Powerade Tigers owned the top overall pick,
acknowledges Casio as a top bet for the slot. Like Baculi however,
he’d rather keep the suspense as well on Draft day.
“Well, there’s no question na malaki ang kakulangan namin sa guard
spot,” said Perasol. “So Casio is definitely a strong contender. He is
one of the best talents out there.”
Outside of the names rattled off by the three coaches, there may
proved to be aspirants who may end up to be this year’s Draft
`sleeper’ the way a Larry Fonacier did in 2005 or Rob Labagala or John
Wilson just a year ago.
Julius Pascualado, a native of Cebu but grew up in the U.S., already
got the attention of some coaches following his impressive showing in
the three-day Rookie Camp.
And then there’s the tried and tested amateurs in the likes of
national players Mark Barroca, Dylan Ababou and Jason Ballesteros,
shooting guard Eric Salamat of three-time UAAP men’s basketball
champion Ateneo, James Martinez, a University of the East teammate of
Lee, FEU’s Reil Cervantes, and Santo Tomas’ Allein Maliksi, the first
ever MVP of the PBA D-League.
Ballesteros, at 6-foot-6, is just one of the few legitimate center
available in the Draft.
“He can be a good prospect,” said Bong Ramos, an assistant of Baculi
with Barako Bull, of the former San Sebastian stalwart. “He may not
score that much points, but the guy can rebound, block shots, and
intimidate inside.”
Meanwhile, John Marc Agustin scored 22 points as Alaska-Yellow
defeated Powerade- Blue, 87-70, at the close of the three-day rookie
camp at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The scores:
Alaska-Yellow – Agustin 22, Acibar 12, Lee 10, Ababon 7, Cervantes 7,
Magbanua 5, Sorongon 4, Martinez 4, Cagoco 4, Resopa 4, Graebel 3,
Montaniel 3, Chamberlain.
Powerade 70 – Maliksi 13, Mepana 11, Bulawan 11, Concepcion 6, Pestano
5, Lapus 5, Sison 5, Medenilla 4, Pascualado 4, Ilad 3, Raymundo 2,
Salamat 1, Fernandez 0, Nabong 0, Cabonce 0.
Quarters: 25-20; 51-38; 67-54; 87-70.(pr)
With basically a guard loaded PBA Rookie Draft, the names of both
Casio and Lee have emerged as the consensus top two picks in the
annual proceedings set on Sunday at the Robinsons Place Manila.
Casio specifically, has been on the radar of several teams owing
solely to his brilliant backcourt manning of Smart Gilas-Pilipinas.
Even Ato Agustin, coach of newly crowned Governors Cup champion
Petron, covets the services of the 5-foot-10 Casio or the 6-foot Lee.
“Ako JV (Casio) or (Paul) Lee. Yun, e kung aabot sa amin,” he said,
resigned to the fact that with the Boosters picking at no. 8, there is
no way will he ever get to tab either one of the two heady and hot
shooting point guards.
Junel Baculi, the comebacking mentor of Bakaro Bull (formerly Air21)
also has Casio and Lee high on his list, but would rather keep to his
chest whom the Energy Boosters will be selecting with the no. 3 pick
“With no dominant big man available, you can see who are the possible
top five picks,” said the coach with the booming voice, mentioning
aside from the two, Smart Gilas stalwarts Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz
and Mac Baracael, but not necessarily in that order.
Bo Perasol, whose Powerade Tigers owned the top overall pick,
acknowledges Casio as a top bet for the slot. Like Baculi however,
he’d rather keep the suspense as well on Draft day.
“Well, there’s no question na malaki ang kakulangan namin sa guard
spot,” said Perasol. “So Casio is definitely a strong contender. He is
one of the best talents out there.”
Outside of the names rattled off by the three coaches, there may
proved to be aspirants who may end up to be this year’s Draft
`sleeper’ the way a Larry Fonacier did in 2005 or Rob Labagala or John
Wilson just a year ago.
Julius Pascualado, a native of Cebu but grew up in the U.S., already
got the attention of some coaches following his impressive showing in
the three-day Rookie Camp.
And then there’s the tried and tested amateurs in the likes of
national players Mark Barroca, Dylan Ababou and Jason Ballesteros,
shooting guard Eric Salamat of three-time UAAP men’s basketball
champion Ateneo, James Martinez, a University of the East teammate of
Lee, FEU’s Reil Cervantes, and Santo Tomas’ Allein Maliksi, the first
ever MVP of the PBA D-League.
Ballesteros, at 6-foot-6, is just one of the few legitimate center
available in the Draft.
“He can be a good prospect,” said Bong Ramos, an assistant of Baculi
with Barako Bull, of the former San Sebastian stalwart. “He may not
score that much points, but the guy can rebound, block shots, and
intimidate inside.”
Meanwhile, John Marc Agustin scored 22 points as Alaska-Yellow
defeated Powerade- Blue, 87-70, at the close of the three-day rookie
camp at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The scores:
Alaska-Yellow – Agustin 22, Acibar 12, Lee 10, Ababon 7, Cervantes 7,
Magbanua 5, Sorongon 4, Martinez 4, Cagoco 4, Resopa 4, Graebel 3,
Montaniel 3, Chamberlain.
Powerade 70 – Maliksi 13, Mepana 11, Bulawan 11, Concepcion 6, Pestano
5, Lapus 5, Sison 5, Medenilla 4, Pascualado 4, Ilad 3, Raymundo 2,
Salamat 1, Fernandez 0, Nabong 0, Cabonce 0.
Quarters: 25-20; 51-38; 67-54; 87-70.(pr)
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