MANILA, Philippines — Some Barako Bull players were both stunned and angered by the move of their team management to apply for a leave of absence from the PBA and give its slot to Smart-Gilas in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Although the PBA board has yet to approve the switch as well as Barako’s plan to file a leave of absence, players Mark Andaya, Borgie Hermida, and team skipper Aries Dimaunahan said they were caught flat-footed by the move and now feel uncertain about their future.
“Sobrang nalungkot kami. Ibang klaseng sama ng loob ang naramdaman ko,” 6-foot-7 center Andaya said. “Biglaan lahat. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Di man lang nila naisip ang mga pamilya namin.”
“Nakakatampo ang ginawa nila. Hindi man lang nila kami binigyan ng importansya. Nakakasama ng loob,” said Hermida, a product of NCAA reigning champion San Beda College who was drafted by the team only last November.
“Di namin alam kung anu mangyayari sa amin. Pero maghihintay pa rin kami,” Dimaunahan said.
Hermida said he sees it unusual that the team has not had practice since December, but had no idea that it will all result to the team’s leaving the league.
Hermida said the team has not had a practice since Dec. 10 or since they stun B-Meg Derby Ace, 85-83, during their last game of the season. They finished their All-Filipino Cup campaign with a 3-11 record.
While the Barako management appears to be selling the idea that their move is “a supreme sacrifice for the country,” a reliable source said the move was only a ploy to cover up the team’s financial woes.
He said some players have not been receiving their monthly salary since December.
“Even coach (Barako Bull) Junel Baculi’s check (salary) bounced last month,” he said. “The players did not also receive their Christmas bonus. Sir George (Chua, the team owner) said he they had financial problems last month.”
“Wala nga kaming pang-noche Buena sa mga pamilya namin nung Pasko ganito pa nangyari,” a player, who refused to be identified, said.
Baculi and other Barako officials could not be reached for comment.
Another source said the Barako Bull management “was very unprofessional” when it informed the team of its plans via only a text on Friday.
The text message wrote: “To Barako Team: Our team has volunteered to lend our spot to Smart Gilas next conference. We will resume playing 3rd conference or next season na. At the same time all team obligations will hopefully be settled in the coming weeks.”
But the text message also revealed that the team is not sure it will return in the league when it said that if the players have pending offers from other teams, they can grab it.
“If you have pending offers from other teams, just let us know Will keep (you) posted,” the text message read.
Francis Santiago, Manila Bulletin
