IS Larry Muyang trying to burn bridges with PBA mother team Phoenix?
A social media post by the controversial big man appeared to put the Fuel Masters in a bad light, hinting at how he is happy where he is now - that, being MPBL defending champion Pampanga Giant Lanterns.
A coach and liaison officer of Pampanga then shared the post and alleged that Phoenix did not extend financial support to Muyang, who was said to have not received his salary.
Phoenix's point of view
The Fuel Masters' hierarchy chose to remain silent since the issue first came out about Muyang's breach of contract for playing for the Giant Lanterns in the MPBL despite having a live contract in the PBA.
But a source privy to the matter insisted the franchise has never been remiss in its financial obligations to Muyang, especially as it is well aware about the crisis the player is undergoing with regards to his family.
“Tinutulungan namin siya. Pinagbibigyan namin (financial advances) kasi nga kailangan niya,” said the source. “The emotional support that he needs, yung time off that he needs kasi nga may problema sa pamilya, yung financial support kahit na he missed three or four games, may sahod pa rin siya.
“Kaya it’s very disappointing na ang nangyayari, kami (Phoenix) pa ang nasisisi.”
Muyang’s latest post had netizens putting the blame on Phoenix for the dire straits the center is facing which began to come out shortly after management decided to suspend him for opting to play in the MPBL, disregarding his PBA contract that will expire by the end of May this year.
The source also said the former NCAA champion player from Letran had to be castigated by the league for earlier playing in an unsanctioned game outside the PBA.
“Yes, he was suspended, and that’s because of something that he did. Hindi naman puwedeng i-tolerate yung ganun,” the same source said.
“The team is not in the business of maltreating players,” said the person, adding the past case of Calvin Abueva, who was also suspended by the team and eventually, by the league for the dangerous clothesline he did on TNT import Terrence Jones during the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup.
The veteran forward was eventually given back the salary he lost once reinstated.
“Binalik namin lahat. Nagpakumbaba siya, inamin niya yung mali niya, nag-ensayo siya, nagpapakita siya. He earned it back despite his mistakes, despite his wrongdoings,” said the source.
Bad breakup between Muyang, Phoenix
Unfortunately, it looks like it won't be the same case with Muyang.
Last Sunday, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial imposed an indefinite ban on Muyang for breach of contract, stipulating the league is a third party to the transaction, as proven by the Unified Players’ Contract.
Marcial said even in the event Muyang and the Fuel Masters management settle their differences, the player from Santa Ana, Pampanga still has to appeal his case to the PBA Board if he is to return playing in the league.
The source said Muyang appeared insincere about his actions based on his social media post in the present and even in the past.
“Isn’t he trying to appeal?,"asked the source about the meeting Muyang had with Marcial, Phoenix team manager Paolo Bugia, and Pampanga Governor and Converge deputy Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda – the benefactor of Muyang – shortly before he was handed an indefinite ban.
“I don’t know what he’s trying to do with this latest post of his.”
The source even shared Muyang appeared to have predetermined his transfer from the PBA after posting a photo with the caption "Pgl," alluding to Pampanga Giant Lanterns, more than a month ago - or during the time the Fuel Masters were having their training camp for the season-ending Philippine Cup.
The Fuel Masters then just shrugged it off not knowing it will come to fruition a few weeks later.
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