MARK Nonoy has gone AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) at Terrafirma heading to its PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign.
Team insiders said the heady guard out of La Salle and University of Santo Tomas hasn’t reported for team practices since the Dyip came together again in early January.
He has also remained incommunicado leading to the team’s debut game against Titan Ultra on Wednesday when the mid-season conference gets going at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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“Si Nonoy considered AWOL since January,” said a source privy to the situation of the 5-foot-9 guard.
Also missing from Terrafirma's 14-man lineup is Louie Sangalang, its top big man over the past two seasons since he was picked 22nd overall in the Season 48 rookie draft.
Both the league and the team are silent on his situation, although sources bared the bull-strong forward is serving a ban for an unspecified violation.
In Nonoy's case, there are unconfirmed sightings on social media of the fleet-footed guard playing in unsanctioned games back home in Iloilo during the break.
Under PBA rules, suiting up in a ‘ligang labas’ is prohibited unless it has the blessing of both the league and the player’s mother team.
Those in the know did admit Nonoy left for Iloilo during the holiday break.
There were also reports of Nonoy leaving after becoming frustrated with delayed compension, but both the league and the team have no comment so far.
“Last time ko siyang nakausap sabi niya pabalik na siya ng Manila,” said one person close to the 25-year-old former UAAP Rookie of the Year.
Terrafirma has already withheld the salary of Nonoy, who still has a one year left in his contract with the Dyip.
He was the No. 10 overall pick by Terrafirma in the Season 49 draft, but didn’t get to play with the team right away after finishing his contract obligation with the Iloilo United Royals in the MPBL.
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