PBA mulls legal action over Dubai snafu

MANILA, Philippines - PBA commissioner Chito Salud said yesterday he is seriously considering to take legal action against the parties accountable for the mess that caused the league to issue a promissory note in the amount of P1.3 million just to guarantee flights out of Dubai for about 80 individuals in connection with a two-game series played before sell-out crowds at the Al Shabab Sports Club.

No question, the PBA foray in Dubai was a huge promotional success with Filipino overseas workers gobbling up tickets that were sold at either P1,800 or P800 apiece, depending on the section, for two games at the 4,000-seat stadium last Thursday and Friday. Sponsors were evident in the streamers that announced the event, indicating strong financial support.

But right after the second game last Friday, Salud was informed by Dana Express Travel that unless local promoter Ramon Pizzaras settled his obligation of P2.6 million, the flight tickets back to Manila of the PBA visitors would be cancelled. The return flight of the PBA delegation, Talk ‘N’ Text, B-Meg and Barangay Ginebra was on Gulf Air at 11:45 p.m. the next day.

 “It was unfortunate that this was how our visit ended, particularly as we played two very well-received games before our countrymen in Dubai,” said Salud. “I told the travel agency the PBA would not pay for the return flight tickets because that is the promoter’s obligation. But realizing the promoter’s insolvency, I thought of an interim solution. Obviously, it was not an option to arrange our own way out since that would mean paying more for one-way tickets and hotel accommodations for about 80 people while things were being sorted. The priority was to get the three teams home and I was ready to sacrifice myself and the PBA staff to do it. In the end, I signed a promissory note for half of the promoter’s accountability with the other half absorbed by the travel agency. With that arrangement, we were told by Gulf Air we could all leave as scheduled.”

As it turned out, 20 individuals from the Talk ‘N’ Text group were not allowed to board but everyone else left on the Gulf Air flight last Saturday. Those who were bumped off had to pay for seats on three Sunday flights, 3:45 a.m. on Emirates, 5:55 a.m. on Qatar Airways and 9:45 a.m. on Emirates. Coach Chot Reyes estimated that about P1 million was spent for the new tickets. Ranidel de Ocampo, Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes left on the first Emirates flight and import Maurice Baker, assistant team manager Bong Ravena and Emerson Oreta took the second. The 14 others flew out on Qatar Airways. Reyes and assistant coach Jamike Jarin left as scheduled on Gulf Air although they wanted to stay in Dubai until the entire team took off. It would’ve raised complications if Reyes and Jarin stayed because they had already been issued boarding passes and their luggage checked in.

The promoter’s obligation to the travel agency wasn’t the only hitch. Pizzaras also had a balance of P170,000 to pay the Asiana Hotel where the three teams were billeted. Reyes, B-Meg team manager Alvin Patrimonio and Ginebra assistant team manager Allan Caidic had to cough up about P60,000 each for the hotel management to release the passports of the players, coaches and staff.

Salud said he will exhaust all measures to reimburse those who shelled out money to check out of the Asiana Hotel and book the extra flights.

“The PBA staff was at the Crowne Plaza Hotel so we weren’t aware of the problems of checking out at the Asiana,” said Salud. “At the airport, it was too late for any of us to leave the departure area and check on Talk ‘N’ Text. We were assured that all our return flight tickets were guaranteed. In my case, I treat all our teams equally, I care for the players the same way, without favor. It was just unfortunate that Talk ‘N’ Text was left out. Right now, I am demanding a written explanation from the promoter and the travel agency to get to the bottom of this mess. I may also ask for a similar explanation from Gulf Air. Depending on our findings, I will consult our Philippine consulate in Dubai regarding what steps to take. Definitely, I will consider taking legal action if necessary against those who are responsible. Someone has to answer for this and all those who paid for things they shouldn’t have will be paid back.”

Salud said he is at a loss as to how Talk ‘N’ Text was scratched out of the Gulf Air flight and because it happened too late in the airport terminal, couldn’t have done anything to avert the mix-up which had to be the result of a miscommunication between the travel agency and the airlines. Salud said he would’ve personally stayed behind if only he could’ve. On his own, Salud arranged a free stay for the stranded passengers who left on the 9:45 a.m. Emirates flight  at the Dusit Hotel in Dubai.

Reyes said when the 20 Talk ‘N’ Text tickets were cancelled, he tried to book business class seats for everyone just to leave on the same Gulf Air flight but was told the tickets were not upgradable and besides, the business class section was sold out. Reyes later found out the business class section was wide open. Reyes said the Emirates flights could not have been arranged if not for the assistance of his wife Cherry’s nephew who works at the station office. Gulf Air flights were fully booked for the next three days.

Talk ‘N’ Text left for Dubai a day earlier than B-Meg and Ginebra and the PBA staff to get extra rest since it had two back-to-back games to play. Reyes said Gulf Air confirmed their flights to and from Dubai via e-tickets. While in Dubai, he also got an assurance from Naomi Tolentino of Dana Express Travel and Gulf Air that the Talk ‘N’ Text return flight tickets were confirmed.

 “I’d warned the PBA about the promoter because he was the same guy who brought Ateneo and La Salle to play an exhibition game in Dubai recently and there were major snags,” said Reyes.