"He can make his own contract if he wants. Once he presents it to us, I can tell you it’s a done deal," said Sta. Lucia governor and team manager Buddy Encarnado of Espino who proved to be a vital link as the team won its first-ever championship in the league in the recent Governors Cup.
"Pwede ring magbigay ng offer sheet ang ibang teams sa kanya. Kaya lang it will become an exercise in futility, dahil siguradong ima-match lang namin," added Encarnado.
What Encarnado means is that Espino can now command his price after a coming-out season in the pro league that had him getting a place in the Mythical First Five and narrowly losing the Best Player of the Conference plum in the Governors Cup.
"He deserves a good contract. He’s our leader. I tell you, he’s not only a good player but a good leader. Ang laki ng respeto sa kanya ng mga teammates niya," said Encarnado.
Top pick in the 1995 amateur draft, Espino will finally become among the PBA’s highest paid players, getting P500,000 a month – the maximum allowed in the league.
In the year about to end, Espino only receives a monthly pay of a little over P400,000. The team’s highest paid player is Marlou Aquino who receives a maximum salary, plus handsome perks.
Incidentally, Espino got the good news of a salary increase from the Sta. Lucia top honchos when he turned 28 yesterday.
Other marquee players with contracts expiring on Dec. 31 are Alvin Patrimonio, brothers Andy and Dan Seigle, Eric Menk and Johnny Abarrientos.
Others who will become free agent on the same date are Sta. Lucia’s Chris Tan, Gerard Francisco and Jack Santiago, Purefoods’ Ronnie Magsanoc, Dino Manuel and Jolly Escobar, Ginebra’s Merwin Castelo and Boy Valera, Tanduay’s Elmer Lago, Jason Webb, Chris Cantonjos, Wynne Arboleda, Oliver Agapito and Alex Friedhof, Red Bull’s Ato Agustin, Lowell Briones, Bernard Tanpua, Glen Capacio and Lordy Tugade, Talk N Text’s Gido Babilonia, Don Camaso, Josel Angeles and Gabby Cui, Alaska’s Don Allado, Bryan Gahol, Kevin Ramas, Jon Ordonio and Glen Peter Yap, Shell’s Joel Dualan and Art del Rosario, San Miguel’s Dorian Peña, Henry Fernandez, Dwight Lago and Rob Duat and Pop Cola’s Jojo Lastimosa, Nelson Asaytono, Ramon Jose, Chris Bolado, Poch Juinio, William Antonio and Pido Jarencio.
Purefoods alternate board representative Ely Capacio said he sees a three-year contract extension with Patrimonio as being fair for both parties. The four-time MVP winner will be 35 when he plays his 14th season in the league next year.
There were words that the Seigles want to be in one team starting next campaign. The problem is that this can’t be easily done with sister teams Purefoods and San Miguel Beer restricted to make a direct trade.
Eric Menk, meanwhile, had initial talks with Barangay Ginebra officials before leaving for the United States for the holidays.