CEBU's reputation as one of the country's basketball power centers is taking a hit following the mass departure of top players and coaching staff from its Classic team in the MPBL over alleged overdue salaries, among many issues.
Because of this, the Cebu Classic team has been left with just six players and the coaching duties taken over by its utility chief who is getting an assist from ball boys. But the squad continued to play and the results were what one would expect from a team with low morale, lack of professional guidance and allegedly delayed salaries.
In its last MPBL game, Cebu Classic lost to Batangas by 66 points, 131-65. Before that the team lost to Sarangani, 95-119; to Basilan, 55-87; and to Pasay, 80-107.
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The aggrieved players have reportedly asked the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to look into their problem but had not yet gotten a response.
Meanwhile, when sought for comment by SPIN.ph, MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes saidhe has already sent a letter to the Classic team owner asking him to act on the players' complaints.
Duremdes also told SPIN.ph the owner has already given the players 'partial payments' of their salaries.
The steps league officials have taken, however, has not stopped the exodus of players and coaches headed by Mike Reyes, the brother of TNT coach Chot Reyes. Following his departure, the reins has been handed down to its utility head.
A team insider revealed the players decided to leave one by one after their salaries were delayed by at least two months and feared that they might not get paid in the months ahead.
“Hindi pa bayad ang mga players. Mag two months na so karamihan sa mga yun, nanghingi na ng release at hindi na bumalik,” said the source.
“Si coach Mike (Reyes), hindi na rin nakatiis kasi after almost a month of trying to save the team by talking to players, hindi rin nakasweldo so umalis na rin,” he added.
Players drop out one by one
Before its season started, Cebu was considered a serious title contender with a lineup of young and experienced players such as former PBA players Paolo Hubalde, Ken Holmqvist and Rashawn McCarthy, supported by Jann Niccolo Jamon, Mark Meneses, Lean Martel, VJ Santos, Darrel Manliguez, Boom Boom Tampus, John Jabonete, Jeco Bancale, Dolan Adlawan,
But they all departed one month ago, leaving Ladis Lepalam, Dennis Santos, Gryann Mendoza, Brian Delos Santos, John Paul Martinez and Valenzuela homegrown Jameson Hiro to hold the fort in the tournament.
Some players have reportedly fallen into debt and some had their power and water utilities cut at home. The crisis had also hit the team's Cebu headquarters where players who eat, sleep and rest there were asked to leave because the rent has not been paid, sources added.
“Sabi next week daw, pero sana totoo na,” said the source. “Kasi sobrang na-depress na po ilang players namin kaya karamihan naglalaro na lang sa mga panalay at ligang labas to support their families.”
“May ilan sa mga players namin naputulan na ng ilaw, may ilan nakiusap sa school para makapag-final exam ang mga anak. Tapos yung condo unit na tinitirhan ng mga players, pinaalis na sila ng may-ari kasi hindi nakakabayad ng monthly dues at naputol na rin ang ilaw at tubig,” said the source.
The embarrassing campaign has prompted Cebu basketball personalities like former PBA player JayR Quinahan to call for the disbandment of the team to avoid further humiliation to the reputation and image of Cebu as a basketball power.
“Sinisira nila pangalan ng Cebu. Tigilan na nila dapat ang team na yan. Wag na nyang ituloy kasi nakakahiya pangalan ng Cebu, sobrang taas ng kredibilidad ng Cebu sa Philippine basketball tapos ganyan ang performance ng team kasi walang players. Wala namang problema sa mga players, team ang may problema kasi hindi nila binibigay obligasyon nila natural, aayaw ang mga players,” said Quinahan.
“Wag na lang nya gamitin ang pangalan ng Cebu para na nyang awa. Para saan ba yang ginagawa nya? Puro kahihiyan ang binibigay sa probinsya namin,” added the former University of the Visayas star.
Rocky Alcoseba, another prominent basketball personality in Cebu, also weighed in.
"To field only six players in a professional league and wear the Cebu name while doing so is unacceptable. It’s not just about wins or losses—it’s about representing a proud culture and the countless basketball warriors who came before," said the son of Cebu coaching great Yayoy Alcoseba.
SPIN.ph tried to get the side of the Cebu team owner but he could not be reached.
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