MANILA – Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams are now allowed to extend the expiring contract of their players until December 31 as the league remained at a halt due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said the league has already sent a memo to all ball clubs with regards to the matter after it was approved by the board of governors in their recent meeting.
“Nagdesisyon ang governors na lahat ng players extended hanggang December 31 — option ng team. Kung hindi ka mapapapirma, free agent ka,” Marcial said during his recent appearance at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
“‘Yung kontrata, kung sino lang gusto ng team — option ng teams ‘yun,” he added. “So, swerte ng mga players kasi may PBA man o wala, ang sweldo nila hanggang December 31.”
NLEX Road Warriors’ Asi Taulava and Cyrus Baguio, Alaska Aces’ Joachim Thoss, Magnolia Hotshots’ Peter June Simon, and Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters’ Davon Potts and Jayvee Marcelino were among the players whose contracts will expire on August.
Others whose contracts will also expire were San Miguel Beermen’s Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot, Aces’ Jeron Teng, Meralco Bolts’ John Pinto, NorthPort Batang Pier’s Paolo Taha and Nico Salva, and Fuel Masters’ Jake Pascual and Dave Marcelo.
The league had initially frozen all transactions last May while the season is on hold due to the COVID-19, although teams have to sign players within five days after their return to training.
“Ang pinag-usapan namin ‘yung kontrata,” Marcial said. “Hindi namin napag-usapan ‘yung trades, ‘yung iba pang transactions. ‘Yun pa lang ang pinag-uusapan namin.”/PN
