No cap violation — Tanduay

Tanduay, whose involvement in a series of controversies last week drew severe reactions from inside and outside of the PBA, yesterday denied violating the PBA’s salary cap rule and welcomed the probe being conducted by the league’s fact-finding board.

"We maintain that we have not violated the PBA salary cap rule as corroborated by earlier testimonies of Jayvee Gayoso and Pido Jarencio who have come before the PBA fact-finding committee to shed light on this issue," the Tanduay management said in a statement released to The STAR yesterday.

The PBA fact-finding board said over the weekend that Gayoso had furnished the PBA with papers showing that he was paid more than what he signed to play for the Rhum Masters in the Uniform Players Contract.

Gayoso alleged he played for Tanduay in the PBA 1999 and 2000 seasons getting two pay checks — one representing the right amount stated in the UPC filed with the Commissioner’s Office and the other his "side-contract" deal with the team.

But the Tanduay management maintained that it has done nothing wrong with regard to their former players’ contracts, including that of Jarencio, who allegedly had an under-the-table deal with Tanduay before he transferred to Pop Cola.

"We welcome the investigation being made by the PBA Commissioner’s Office on this allegation and we are willing to cooperate so that this case will finally be resolved.

"But we have not been furnished with the documents said to have been submitted by Gayoso. As such, we are not yet in a position to comment on them. Once we are given the chance to go over these documents, we will present our position before the fact-finding committee," the statement added.

If found to have violated the league salary cap rule, Tanduay could face severe sanction from the league, including the forfeiture of the ballclub’s share from the league’s television earnings, amounting to no less than P20 million.

To support its case, Tanduay said it would also get former team manager David de Joya’s side since these allegations happened during his time.

"It is unfortunate that Tanduay and the PBA continue to be dragged into controversies that are not helping the image of both entities in any way. The Tanduay management is sincere in its desire to be a good member of the PBA family. Wayward emotions and certain personal interests should not be taken against Tanduay’s sincerity of purpose. Doing so is doing injustice to the greater number of Tanduay officials and players who continue to work hard for the team and the league," the statement said.

The cap violation rap came on the heels of Tanduay owner Lucio Tan, Jr.’s emotional outburst where he hit the league, commissioner Jun Bernardino and the board itself for treating the team unfairly. He even threatened to pull his team out of the PBA and join the rival MBA league.

For undermining the league and its officials, a PBA source said sanctions are in order for Tan, who was summoned to appear before the PBA Commissioner’s Office tomorrow.