PBA imposes 20 percent pay cut

MANILA, Philippines — Making a hard decision in these hard times, the PBA is implementing a 20 percent pay cut on teams while giving top priority to its vaccination program as a cloud of uncertainty hangs over Season 46.

With the clubs feeling the crunch of maintaining their respective basketball programs amid the prolonged pandemic, the PBA board deemed it wise to do a salary slash while play is on hold.

This reduction will affect players, coaches, assistant coaches, managers and most team personnel except the utilities beginning May.

Commissioner Willie Marcial, who recommended the cutback on the teams as well as PBA Office employees, said everyone will get their full salaries back once the 5-on-5 scrimmages start. However, they won’t be paid the deducted 20 percent retroactively when things normalize.

“This is our contribution to the team owners because for 16 months (since the pandemic started last year), they took care of us, paid our salaries in full and protected us all throughout,” said Marcial.

The commissioner met with the players, coaches, assistant coaches and team managers yesterday to inform them of the board decision.

“I told them there are companies that retrenched employees, implemented a no-work, no-pay policy whereas we in the PBA continue to get full salaries even if there are no games,” said Marcial.

“Nobody complained (among the attendees of the meeting),” he said.

While the games are not yet a go, PBA vice chairman Bobby Rosales said the league’s thrust is to get the whole PBA family vaccinated the soonest.

“If we want to open the season (soon) then we have to start vaccinating. We believe if everybody is vaccinated, then it will be easier for the government to allow the games to open,” said Rosales.

He added that the league will procure its vaccines through the Red Cross with PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan donating additional doses.

Marcial is set to meet with IATF officials next week to inquire about the guidelines needed for the games once the PBA’s vaccination program is implemented.

The pro league initially planned to kick off 2021 last April 18 in Antipolo before getting stalled by the spike in COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, Marcial said there’s also a standing offer from Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc to host a possible PBA bubble in the province.

“It’s an option,” said Marcial. “But right now, our direction is focused on the vaccination first.”