DESPITE Sam Deguara being part of the family, the Macau Black Knights understand the rationale behind the giant’s decision not to play for the team in its guest stint in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Coach Garrett Kelly said the 7-foot-6 native of Malta chose to take his act to the Yankey Ark in the P.League+ in Taiwan for a higher take home pay.
“At the end of the day, professional basketball players are independent contractors and they got to go where the money is,” said Kelly during a brief presser presenting the management and coaching staff of the Black Knights.
“They have a big paycheck for him.”
READ No Sam Deguara in Macau's PBA lineup as he joins Taiwan team
The 34-year-old Deguara has been familiar with Taipei as he previously played in the country for such teams as the Taipei Fubon Braves, TaiwanBeer HeroBears, and the Tainan TSG Ghosthawks.
“At the end of the day, he got to go where the money is best, the situation is best. He went and I wish him the best,” said Kelly.
“Their (player) career has a short span of their life. If you’re lucky it's 10 years, if you’re really lucky, more than 10 years. In reality, it’s as long as your body holds on. And Sam has one of the largest bodies on earth for a basketball player.”
Deguara has been playing as Macau import for the past two years and suited up for the team in the EASL Home and Away Season 3.
Initially, he was expected to be one of two imports the Black Knights will be fielding in the PBA until he decided to play in Taiwan instead.
Taking De Guara’s place alongside Tony Mitchell is 6-foot-4 Oscar Lopez, one of five naturalized players who was with the Cambodia national team in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
Kelly, though, said Deguara is always welcome to come back for the Black Knights once he becomes available again.
“He’s a great teammate, he’s a great person and we love Sam,” said the Macau coach. “If at some point, we can have him back, we’ll be thrilled.”
Joining the Macau coach during the presser were Macau Black Knights president of operations Lou Kit Long, deputy coach Frederic Dandan, and team representative and alternate governor Jacque Ruby.
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