MANILA – Bacolod City of Smiles is allegedly encountering financial problems with just 11 games into their campaign in the 2024 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) season.
Panay News learned from a source on Wednesday that almost half of Bacolod City’s roster has already departed the team after not receiving their salaries for the last four months.
This was also the reason why only six players, namely Danny Marilao, Ian Pardo, Jamel Ramos, John Matthew Manalang, Nichole Ubalde, and Salvador Galit, suited up during Bacolod City’s lopsided 115-64 loss to Abra Weavers on Monday night.
“Actually, last month pa lang nagsimula na mag uwian (sa Bacolod City) ‘yung ibang mga homegrown players nila dahil hindi nga sila nakakatanggap ng suweldo nila,” the source said.
“Tapos, recently lang, may mga nag uwian uli, same reason pa din, hindi nila natatanggap ‘yung salaries nila,” he added. “Nakailang follow up na sila, wala pa din kaya bumitaw na sila.”
A former Bacolod City player, who spoke to Panay News on condition of anonymity, confirmed that majority of the team’s players have already left the squad recently due to delayed salaries.
“Sa pagkakaalam ko, mga three to four months ‘yung delay. Sa akin kasi medyo late na ‘yung dating ko sa team kaya mga two months siguro ‘yung hindi nila naibigay sa akin,” he said.
“Pero iba naman ‘yung reason ko kaya ako umalis ng team. I have to focus on my other plans in life, but same pa din, it is frustrating na hindi nakukuha ng players ‘yung pinaghirapan nila,” he added.
Prior to the start of the season, Bacolod City put up a promising lineup, led by playing head coach Alex Cabagnot, Brian Cabagnot, Rashawn McCarthy, and Louie Vigil, but none of them have suited up or made an appearance for the squad in 11 games.
Last season, the same Bacolod City franchise was also hounded with issues as some of its players and coaching staff were slapped with indefinite ban by the MPBL for alleged involvement in game-fixing./PN
