Amateur stars sign up for RP 5

SBP executive director Noli Eala announced yesterday the signing of seven amateur standouts to contracts affirming their commitment to play for the national developmental team under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman and disclosed plans of engaging PBA teams in preliminary games during the Philippine Cup finals.

Inked to three-year contracts were Dylan Ababou, Mark Barroca and J. R. Cawaling while Jason Ballesteros, Mac Baracael, R. J. Jazul and Magi Sison agreed to two-year deals.

Six more were expected to sign at presstime. They were Chris Tiu, Ogie Menor, Marcy Arellano, J. V. Casio, Rico Maierhofer and Rey Guevarra. Eala was in Zamboanga to attend an SBP activity yesterday and entrusted the negotiations to SBP executives Bernie Atienza and Butch Antonio.

To be offered contracts today are Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Ryan Buenafe, Greg Slaughter, Junmar Fajardo and Paul Lee. UST center Jervy Cruz showed up for practice two weeks ago but didn’t play. According to Cruz’ agent Danny Espiritu, he is willing to play for Toroman’s squad. However, Cruz’ reluctance to participate in the tryouts may be an indication he’s not ready to make a long-term commitment to the SBP.

“We’re excited about recruiting Slaughter and Fajardo,” said Eala. “We’re grateful to Cong. Eddie Gullas for excusing Slaughter from playing for the University of Visayas in the CESAFI league to come to Manila (today). Coach Toroman is scheduling practice for four days to prepare for the PBA games. We’re also hoping Fajardo, who plays for the University of Cebu, can join.”

The 6-11 Slaughter and the 6-8 Fajardo are the team’s tallest recruits.

Eala said the developmental team will play in preliminaries during the PBA finals starting Wednesday. Games are planned against Burger King and Barangay Ginebra.

“We’re in the process of finalizing arrangements with PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios,” said Eala. “Our players are excited. Mac Baracael, for instance, told me he’s ready to go up against Arwind Santos and Jay-Jay Helterbrand. It’ll be a good test for our young team.”

Eala said the contracts offered to the amateur standouts stipulate a severance pay of three times the annual salary in case the SBP decides to terminate the agreement.

“We will not renege on our commitment to the players,” he explained. “We’re asking for the players to give priority to the national team, that if they continue to play in the PBL, for instance, there should be prior clearance. We are also allowing players to back out under certain circumstances, like if they are offered a scholarship grant, if they decide to pursue a career outside of basketball, if there are personal or family reasons. There is nothing onerous in the contracts. We’re hoping for a smooth working relationship where we compensate the players for their long-term commitment.”

Eala said when the contracts expire, he suggests the players apply for the PBA draft but shouldn’t be subject to the cap for rookies.

“We won’t hold the players back beyond two or three years,” said Eala. “We’re actually preparing them for the PBA. An option to consider is to allow an early entry draft for a PBA team to acquire the signing rights to a player before he actually turns pro. There will be no payments made until the player finally moves to the PBA. It’s similar to what the NBA does with international players.”