Renren, UAAP stars slam GAB

Finding themselves in a quandary following the ruling made by the Games and Amusements Board declaring the PBL a professional league, topnotch collegiate players have decided to make a manifesto to appeal their case with the government body.

UAAP stars Renren Ritualo, Melvin Mamaclay, Gilbert Lao, Cyrus Baguio and Nino Gelig and NCAA mainstays Jacques Gottenbos and Loreto Soriano spearhead the move, asking why they are the ones to suffer from the political consequence in Philippine basketball.

"Ang pagkakaintindi ko rito, it’s a matter of interpretation. Kung noon pwede kaming maglaro sa UAAP and at the same time sa PBL, bakit ngayon may question dito? Bakit kami ang dapat na mag-suffer?" said Ritualo, a La Salle standout playing for Welcoat Paints in the PBL.

"If the UAAP and the NCAA stand firm on their decisions to ban their players to play in the PBL, they will deny the players the chance to further enhance their skills. Sana maisip nila ang welfare ng mga players dahil malaking tulong sa amin ang paglalaro sa PBL," he added.

Ritualo and company said the PBL has been a source of financial assistance that helped them with their educational expenses and daily needs.

Unless the PBL secures a decision from Malacanang reversing the GAB ruling, the UAAP may be forced to keep its players from playing in league, according to UAAP president Anton Montinola.

Earlier, the NCAA decided to bar its players from playing in the PBL also in light with the GAB ruling.

PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad, meanwhile, reiterated the GAB ruling is not yet final and executory with the case under appeal in Malacañang.

And Trinidad is hopeful they will get a favorable decision from Malacañang before the league opens its 2001-2002 season on Nov. 3 at the Makati Coliseum.

"Trinidad said the move by the UAAP and the NCAA banning their cagers to play in the PBL will hamper, if not kill, the development of basketball in the country.

"If you kill the PBL, you will also kill the development of young players. Take for example Renren Ritualo. How many Ritualos will need the opportunity to develop their skills without the PBL," said Trinidad. — Joey Villar