PBA officials traveled to Japan to discuss cooperation with the league and respecting existing contracts to maintain harmonious relationship with each other while promoting the sport.
Philippine Basketball Association officials and the Japan B. The League have agreed to take the road of continuing friendship and cooperation in further boosting the sport in their respective countries after a round of talks that ended on Friday in Tokyo.
The meetings in Japan were attended by Board chairman Ricky Vargas and commissioner Willie Marcial and were welcomed by JBL chairman Shinji Shimada, international development manager Chihiro Saito and international development officer Ayumi Yamamoto when the two parties met at the B.League office near Koishikawa Korakuen Garden.
Other officials attending the talks with JBL were Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy, PBA governors Robert Non of San Miguel Beer, Alfrancis Chua of Barangay Ginebra, Rod Franco of NLEX, Bill Pamintuan of Meralco, Erick Arejola of NorthPort, Bobby Rosales of Terrafirma, Chito Salud of Converge, Raymond Zorrilla of Phoenix Fuel and Silliman Sy of Blackwater, deputy commissioner Eric Castro, legal counsel Melvin Mendoza and social media head Michelle Flores.
Vargas said the bottomline of the PBA’s presentation was about the league respecting players’ contracts with teams and the commitment of players to suit up for the national team.
“The keyword is cooperation. Recent events whereby our players accepted offers to play in Japan have hurt not only our league but our national team training and development, as well,” said Vargas. “If we continue this way of engaging Philippine players without prior clearance from our league, it may sadly blemish our friendship.”
For the past two years, PBA players have found their footing in international leagues such as the B League where Kiefer Ravena and Ray Parks, and recently Matthew Wright, Greg Slaughter, and Roosevelt Adams decided to take their talents.
Other college players also opted to play in JBL, the Korean Basketball League (KBL), T League and P League+ in Chinese Taipei which includes Dwight Ramos, Thirdy Ravena, Kobe Paras, Ricci Rivero, Jordan Heading, Justin Baltazar, Rhenz Abando, SJ Belangel, Justin Gutang, RJ Abarrientos, among others.
“As good neighbors, the path of cooperation is always the best way to settle our differences,” said Vargas to end his message to the B. League officials.
Tags: #PBA, #Japan, #basketball