GAB urged to stop raid on amateurs

Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) chairman Lito Puyat yesterday called on Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Dominador Cepeda to exercise his authority and persuasive powers to stop the poaching on amateur ranks by professional commercial clubs.

Puyat pinpointed the Red Bull attempt to "smuggle" into PBA ranks top amateur player Kerby Raymundo, a member of the national men's (20-and-under) team. Red Bull has joined the PBA ranks this year.

Raymundo, who was also recruited into the national men's team last year for the first SEABA-President Joseph Ejercito Estrada Cup and the SEA Games by national head coach Louie Alas, both championships of which were won by the Philippines, will be turning 19 on Jan. 19, 2000.

"It's about time that something, or somebody, stop the moneyed commercial leagues from inveigling the youth into turning pro with offerings of big money, at the not only possible but probable expense of his education, at the same time depriving the country of the player's services through the recognized authority on the sport in the Philippines, the BAP," said Puyat.

"I, therefore, pray and plead that the GAB, in behalf of the Philippines in its international commitments in basketball, convene and convince such commercial leagues as the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to observe an age limit as that ascribed to the PBA, of 23 years-above, and keep inviolate said limit so as not to disembowel national teams of its star players, in particular, because of stupendous offers of money, fringe benefits and other perks that, as the Mafia bosses are reputed to declare, the players `cannot refuse,`"Puyat said.