Cariaso says PBA Players Union protects present, post-retirement welfare

MANILA, Philippines -- As past and present players from Alaska and Barangay Ginebra converge and play in the Hoops for a Cause this Friday, Aces assistant coach Jeffrey Cariaso commented that reviving the long-inactive players union should be a priority to ensure that the future of PBA players are secured.

Cariaso shared his thoughts in light of the ongoing contract issue between several Mahindra (formerly KIA) players and management, as well as the different circumstances surrounding former PBA players led by Samboy Lim, Rhoel Gomez as well as Roger Yap.

“Being a former player, malaking bagay yung just knowing that the players union can help a player. It not only protects the players now, but it also protects their future,” Cariaso shared to Philstar.com.

A solid wingman who can score against defenders with relative ease, the 43-year-old Cariaso explained that the current plight of Gomez, his former teammate at Alaska, whose daughter Rizzini Alexis, is battling cancer, makes the players union such a vital component in the life of a PBA player.

“Malaking bagay talaga yung players union, especially when they start thinking of retiring, which is why it requires a lot of careful planning, along with an agreement with the PBA and the team owners,” he said.

Cariaso said reactivating the players union does not intend to take an ‘adversarial approach’ against PBA teams since the primary goal is to ensure that it will simply be after the welfare of the players in the long run.

“We know this process (of reviving the players union) won’t be easy. And it’s not about the players union going against anybody because what’s important is the players have protection and they have an option,” he added.

On the other hand, Bachmann said he’s all for the revival of the union, saying he fully understands the struggles that players go through, having been a members of Alaska from 1993 to 1999.

“I’m all for it (players union),” he said.

“Roel was my former teammate and we helped him. And I think (Barangay Ginebra coach) Tim (Cone) talked to Alfrancis Chua (Gin Kings board governor) and they gave money to help Roel also while we decided with Jojo to come up with the Hoops for a Cause,” added Bachmann.

On Friday, the big names from Alaska, Star and Barangay Ginebra team up with some of the current Hotshots and Gin Kings for a special benefit game at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Jojo Lastimosa, Johnny Abarrientos, Bong Hawkins, Alvin Patrimonio and Poch Juinio play for the Star Hotshots team that goes up against a Ginebra squad that will feature Marlou Aquino, Allan Caidic, Noli Locsin, Vince Hizon and EJ Feihl.

The legends, who will be teaming up with stalwarts from the current Hotshots and Gin Kings, suit up in the 7 p.m. game for the benefit of Lim, Yap and Gomez’s daughter.