PBA lends hand to game-day crew

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Basketball Association is making sure game-day personnel financially hit by the league’s suspension of play due to the coronavirus disease pandemic get needed support during these trying times.

Around 25 non-regular staff members work for the PBA for each play date, getting paid for their day’s work as statisticians, table officials, gatekeepers, entertainment personnel and parking personnel.

But with Season 45 on hold, they stand to lose at least two months of earnings.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the pro league, the 12 teams and the team owners have arranged a package for the affected workforce.

“Tinutulungan namin sila. Part sila ng PBA family, hindi namin sila pababayaan. Hanggang mayroong ganitong problema sa sitwasyon, kami’y tutulong; kahit two, three months (length of tournament stoppage), tutulong kami,” said Marcial, declining, though, to reveal the amount involved.

Additionally, Marcial said some individuals have taken it upon themselves to lend a hand to the game day crew.

“May mga players, may coaches, at may governors na tumulong. Sarili nila iyon,” the PBA executive bared.

More are joining the cause.

Alaska coach Jeff Cariaso has initiated a fund drive to complement the PBA’s package, pledging an initial P100,000 seed money pooled from the Aces (P50,000), team manager Dickie Bachmann (P25,000), and himself (P25,000).

“These individuals are the hard working people behind the scenes that allow players and teams to showcase what we do best. They complete the platform and pave the way each and every playdate,” Cariaso posted on his social media accounts.

The objective, according to the Aces mentor, is to help fill in for the salary missed for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine.

“My goal is to make up for at least two months worth of wages for those individuals relying heavily on the games. If anyone would like to help out, kindly message me personally,” Cariaso said.