THE longer the PBA continues to be on virtual lockdown, the more financial strain on the teams.
That explains why some drastic actions could be taken by the pro league once the board convenes early next month to decide on what to do with the rest of the hamstrung Governors Cup.
“Sa February malalaman kung saan tayo patungo,” Commissioner Willie Marcial told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday.
“Pagdating ng Feb saka tayo mag-de-desisyon,” added Marcial. “Mag-babawas-suweldo ba tayo? Papauwiin na import? Mga ganoon,” added Marcial.
“Ano na patutunguhan natin, kasi tumataas mga kaso? Ititigil ba natin? Wala ng conference?’ Maraming mga variables na kailangang desisyunan.”
Marcial admitted in a previous interview that the stoppage of the imports-laced Governors Cup since Jan. 5 would cost the PBA and its teams around P80 million in lost revenues through their shares in sponsorship and advertisement deals, not to mention live gate receipts.
Those are on top of the average of roughly P5 million a month each team spends in players’ salaries, aside from the guaranteed contracts of their respective imports for the conference.
“Gusto ko ngang ipalinis mga kotse ko sa import. Dollars suweldo niyan, wala siyang ginagawa. Nasa five-star hotel, pakain-kain, may food allowance pa,” joked Magnolia governor Rene Pardo. “Pero hindi rin niya kasalanan. Ano’ng gagawin natin?”
At first glance, it seems that Blackwater, Terrafirma and Rain or Shine would be the hardest hit among the PBA teams since their products are not exactly essentials or for everyday needs.
But everybody’s feeling the pinch, according to Pardo, even his team which is under the aegis of giant conglomerate San Miguel Corp.
“Kahit sinasabing malalim ang balon namin, hirap na rin kami,” he said. “May kanya-kanyang mga affiliate groups na gumagasta para sa mga teams namin and ‘yung mga iyon gustong kumita noon.
“Paano kung sabihin nila: ‘Paano ba iyan, meron kaming white elephant?’ In the meantime, sila mga empleyado nila hindi pinapapasok. Tatamaan din iyon, sinusuwelduhan din iyon kahit ‘yung mga work-from-home.”
One way to alleviate some of the financial burden, offered Pardo, is to ask the players for a paycut. “Mahirap mang isipin, makikiusap kami sa mga players. ‘Papaano, puwede bang kalahati muna suweldo?’” he posed.
“But as much as possible ayaw naming isipin dahil ‘yung budget ng mga players may pinaglalaanan din mga iyan. Kahit na medyo malaki-laki kinikita nila, nagpapadala sa mga magulang o kamag-anak sa probinsiya, iba lumalaki pamilya, nagpapagawa ng bahay. Tigil ang construction ngayon so tumatakbo metro noon,” added Pardo. “Kaya mahirap talaga, talagang parusa.”
Marcial said such concerns would be addressed during the board meeting he plans to call next month.
“Sa ngayon wala pang team na umaangal sa akin. Pero pag nagtagal pa itong wala tayong laro alam ko magkakaroon,” said Marcial. “Kaya sa Feb ang crucial. Baka first 10 days… tingnan natin.”
