Bulls confirm participation in PBA Philippine Cup

Barako Bull will continue to maintain a team in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)—at least in the coming Philippine Cup.

This was assured by team owner George Chua to PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios to douse water on reports that the Barakos are on the brink of bankruptcy and that other PBA clubs are helping “subsidize” the salaries of its players.

“Barako Bull confirmed playing in the Philippine Cup,” Barrios told the BusinessMirror on Monday as the league prepares for the October 11 opening of the 35th season.

Coca-Cola and Talk ‘N Text are said to have rushed to Barako Bull’s financial aid by allowing their reserves to suit up for the Leo Isaac-mentored squad and, at the same time, honor the remainder of their contracts.

The Tigers have earlier released Aries Dimaunahan and MC Caceres to Barako Bull, while the Tropang Texters reportedly also sent Rob Reyes, Yousif Aljamal, Adonis Sta. Maria and Gilbert Lao to the team.

The BusinessMirror learned that these players have existing contracts with their mother clubs.

But Barrios said he is not aware of the “subsidy” issue and will confirm the matter with Chua once the PBA board convenes next week.

“Ang pinanghahawakan ko kasi ngayon ay ’yung last letter ni Mr. George Chua that they are participating in the Philippine Cup,” Barrios earlier said in a separate interview. “But we will still talk to them to clarify things, particularly on the salaries of their players.”

The league has a minimum salary cap per team—70 percent of the P32-million maximum cap—which, according to Barrios, guarantees the competitiveness of the clubs.

Barako Bull, formerly Red Bull, entered the league in 2000 and in just a few years has overachieved by winning three titles under head coach Yeng Guiao, the last of which was the 2005-06 Fiesta Cup.

But the team started trading its marquee players, including Willie Miller, Kerby Raymundo, Enrico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela, Larry Fonacier and Cyrus Baguio.

In July John Arigo wrote Barrios and said the Photokina franchise was not paying their salaries on time. Barako Bull promised to settle the unpaid salaries, including those who were traded to other teams.

Arigo has been cut by the team and is currently trying out with Barangay Ginebra.

The holdovers in the Barako Bull roster are Jojo Duncil, Leo Najorda, Reed Juntilla, Chad Alonzo, Paolo Hubalde and Alex Crisano. The team tabbed Ogie Menor and Benedict Fernandez in the last rookie draft while Jim Viray and Bryan Faundo are tying it out for slots on the team.