That’s how Juvic Pagunsan’s camp reiterated its stand on the player’s reported plan to defer his decision to turn pro ahead of the Southeast Asian Games if the NGAP (National Golf Association of the Phils.) would keep its hands off the training of the national team competing in the biennial games.
Pagunsan the other day said he is willing to reconsider his move to join the pro ranks and would play for the country for the last time in December only if the entire RP team would train under the aegis of Enrique Razon, whom First Gentleman Mike Arroyo appointed as golf’s project director for the SEA Games, and not the NGAP.
"It’s all up to them (NGAP). There is no compromise on this. It‘s either Mr. Razon or nothing," said Bambi Rivilla, Pagunsan’s benefactor and adviser.
But Benny Gopez, the NGAP president, downplayed Rivilla’s threat, saying there is nothing to negotiate on in the first place.
"What compromise are they talking about? I never received any demand or condition on anything. Dyaryo lang ang kausap nila kaya bakit kami sasagot," said Gopez.
He, however, added that Pagunsan’s tirade against the NGAP, whom he accused of treating the national players shabbily during the World Amateurs last year, would be tackled in the NGAP board meeting being held at presstime last night.
At any rate, Gopez said Pagunsan’s demand doesn’t speak well of the character of the player, saying it could send wrong signals to other national athletes who might think that they are bigger than their respective NSAs (national sports associations).
"Personally, I will never be a hostage to anybody because I don’t owe anything to anybody," said Gopez. — Dante Navarro