PBL gets back amateur status

The Games and Amusement Board has submitted to Malacañang a recommendation giving back the Philippine Basketball League its amateur status.

GAB chairman Eduardo Villanueva said the board had unanimously agreed to revert the 20-year-old league to its old status as an amateur league after it agreed to be under the supervision of the Basketball Association of the Philippines.

"The GAB has passed the ball to Malacañang and it’s up to them to decide on the matter," Villanueva told The STAR.

The GAB, during Dominador Cepeda’s term, had classified the PBL as a professional league, citing professional contracts and regular salaries given to its players.

The PBL has since adopted the allowance scheme in place of salaries and did away with contracts that bind the players as professionals.

"We’re grateful to the GAB and Malacañang for hearing our side and giving us a new lease in life," said PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad. "Now we can all work together in improving the state of RP basketball."

The decision frees collegiate players in the UAAP, NCAA and other amateur collegiate leagues of any impediments arising from their stint in the PBL.

Last year, UAAP and NCAA teams would not release their players to the PBL since the GAB ruled that the latter was a pro league.

"With that decision, we can now move forward and continue our thrust for basketball development and our concern to provide these young talents a better future," Trinidad added.

Meanwhile, the PBL has announced that it would be staging its Monday games at the Caruncho Gym in Pasig City in line with its outreach program.

The plan was made possible in cooperation with Pasig City councilor Fortunato "Atoy" Co, Crispa coach in the PBL and one of the pioneer superstars of the PBA. — Joey Villar