Players, coaches understand PBA pay-slash move

MANILA, Philippines — TNT coach Chot Reyes and Barangay Ginebra counterpart Tim Cone perfectly understood PBA’s hard decision to impose a 20-percent salary cut as teams continue to feel the effects of the protracted pandemic.

“We understand and fully support the PBA’s decision,” Reyes, who is making his PBA coaching comeback this Season 46, told The STAR.

“Simply, like the rest of our countrymen, we do what we have to do to survive. Everyone is faced with difficult decisions, the same with the PBA,” Cone said for his part.

After nixing pay reduction in 2020 despite staging only one tournament, the pro league deemed it best to do so now, when the season is on a standstill.

Coaches, assistant coaches, players, team managers and team personnel will get reduced paychecks beginning May as part of the league’s measures to help the team owners cut down on expenditures.

They will get their full salaries back once the clubs commence government-approved 5-on-5 scrimmages ahead of tournament proper.

“Still blessed and grateful always! Will never not be,” San Miguel’s Chris Ross posted on Twitter.

League employees will similarly take a pay cut.

However, the PBA spared the utility personnel from the new ruling, assuring them of full salaries throughout.

“I’m glad they didn’t have to take a hit. They work behind the scenes and do so much for us,” said Ross.

The PBA is also looking for ways it could to expedite its vaccination program, which could possibly clear the way for the opening of the stalled Philippine Cup. Originally, the All-Filipino was supposed to kick off last April 18 but the surge in COVID-19 cases and the imposition of stricter quarantine status in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces effectively caused a pushback.