IT was not the first time this incident happened. But cagers seemed not to have taken to heart the lessons of breaching their precious contracts.
The PBA has imposed an indefinite ban on Phoenix big man Larry Muyang for playing for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL despite having a live pact with the Fuel Masters.
Pro league chief Willie Marcial said Muyang needs to appeal his suspension to the board of governors if and when he wants to see action anew in the PBA.
“Ang status niya ngayon is banned siya PBA. Puwede siyang i-demanda ng Phoenix,” Marcial said last Sunday night. “Kausap ko siya kanina, may mga problema siya pero sabi ko, maski ganoon, may kontrata ka sa Phoenix.
“May bagong ruling na kapag na-ban ka dahil hindi ka sumunod sa kontrata, kahit um-okay na ang team mo, kailangan umapela sa board of governors,” added the strict but kind-hearted Commissioner.
The 6-foot-6 Muyang, picked No. 7 overall in the 2020 Draft, was also penalized by the team for suiting up in an unsanctioned league last month.
A native of Santa Ana, Pampanga, Muyang, 29, has already suited up for three games for the Giant Lanterns with norms of 18.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per match.
Pampanga Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda, who discovered Muyang in the basketball hotbed, said the burly center will appeal his ban after the death of his father last year caused him to incur debts.
Pineda, who serves as lead assistant coach for Converge, also said miscommunication between Muyang and the Dennis Uy-owned ball club was a factor in the brouhaha but insisted he will not condone the actions made by the former NCAA Rookie of the Year and Letran standout.
Muyang is set to meet with Phoenix first before appealing his suspension.
“Humingi siya ng pasensiya. Pero sabi ko kahit ganoon, may kontrata siya sa Phoenix so dapat i-honor niya iyon,” Marcial said.
When will players finally learn?
