A PLAYER projected to be a big part of Terrafirma’s PBA future is making the team squirm right now.
A very reliable source told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday that negotiations with Isaac Go’s camp has stalled after the latter reportedly made an outlandish demand.
“Ang laki ng hinihingi, halos max(imum) na, parang beteranong star player,” said the insider, who requested anonymity.
“Hindi naman maibibigay iyon dahil against league rules,” added the source, pertaining to the P420,000 maximum salary a PBA player receives each month.
Terrafirma’s representative to the PBA Board, Bobby Rosales, declined to verify the report.
“I cannot comment on that,” said the usually amiable executive. “Kapag tungkol sa mga suweldo I cannot comment. Basta ongoing ang discussions.”
Rosales added that disputes of this sort are covered by PBA rules, which state that rookies are only allowed a starting monthly salary of P200,000 on their first year, to be raised to a maximum of P250,000 each month on their second year.
Go was drafted first overall by Terrafirma (then Columbian) during the 2019 special draft for five Gilas Pilipinas players, whose contracts from the national team expired Monday last week and decided to play in the pros.
The others — Rey Suerte, twin brothers Mike and Matt Nieto and Allyn Bulanadi —, have either signed up or are close to striking a deal with the teams that drafted them.
“Ipapatupad natin kung ano polisiya natin,” Commissioner Willie Marcial said in a text message.
Dyip coach Johnedel Cardel also refrained from commenting on the issue, maintaining he only learns of such developments through briefings from team manager Ronald Tubid.
“Ang alam ko lang nag-uusap pa sila. So tingnan na lang natin, baka may mga mangyari within the week,” said Cardel who is currently more focused on preparing the Dyip for the season-ending Governors Cup that resumes this Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Terrafirma is set to meet Blackwater on Saturday with the Dyip out to improve on their current 1-4 record against the 0-5 Bossing.
The source said a compromise could still be reached with Go.
“Eleven games lang ang eliminations so ilang laro na lang ang Dyip,” offered the source.
“So puwedeng magkasundo muna sa kung ano present offer ng team covering only the rest of the Governors Cup. Then panibagong usapan na lang for the next season and beyond.”
