THE PBA Commissioner's Office is looking into an issue raised by Phoenix involving Larry Muyang, who the ballclub claimed is now playing for Pampanga in the MPBL despite having a live contract with the Fuelmasters.
Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the pro league has received communication from Phoenix officials on the case of the 6-foot-6 Muyang, who has spent his entire PBA career with the ballclub that picked him seventh overall in the 2020 draft.
READ Muyang in hot water for playing in MPBL while still under contract in PBA
However, Phoenix team manager Paolo Bugia claimed the 29-year old still has a live PBA contract with the ballclub that expires only in May when he made the decision to return to his hometown Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL.
Marcial said the league can file a court case against Muyang for breaching provisions in his Uniform Player's Contract (UPC) if Phoenix so wishes.
"Pwede s'yang mademanda dyan, nasa Phoenix 'yan kung gusto nilang habulin," said the league commissioner.
But even without legal action, Marcial said the former Letran standout faces being blacklisted in the PBA, meaning he can't play in the 50-year old league again unless an appeal is upheld.
"Kailangan n'yang mag-appeal[bago s'ya makabalik]," Marcial said, citing the case of former San Miguel player Kyt Jimenez who moved to the MPBL to play for Sarangani even with a live contract with the Beermen.
Marcial said he his communication lines are open with MPBL counterpart Kenneth Duremdes and he can raise the issue with the latter if Phoenix wants to press the issue.
"Palagi kaming naguusap ni Commissioner Kenneth and I can raise that to him," Marcial said.
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