MBA urged to pay backwages or face lawsuit

Settle your obligations or we might see you in court.

This was the message sent by Pangasinan Waves coach Lawrence Chongson to officials of the Metropolitan Basketball Association yesterday regarding the non-payment of the backwages of their coaches, players and staff almost two months after the MBA closed shop due to financial reasons.

Chongson said the MBA actually owes three other teams—the Pampanga Stars, Olongapo Volunteers and Cagayan de Oro Amigos — a total of P12.3 million in backwages after settling its obligations with the Batangas Blades, Davao Eagles, Cebu Gems and Negros Slashers.

"I can’t understand why the MBA, after helping settle its obligation with these four teams, are now leaving us (in the cold). All we’re asking is for us to be payed our backwages for two months. Then hopefully we don’t get to that court case," said Chongson during the weekly PSA Forum at the Holiday Inn.

The Pangasinan coach said MBA chairman Santi Araneta, owner of the Batangas Blades, had presented a counter-offer of a half-month salary for all those concerned, but this is "simply unacceptable" since it wouldn’t be enough to pay off the debts incurred by the ballboys or utility men, among others.

"It’s just one-fourth of what we’re asking. It’s like the MBA shelling out P2 to 3 million for the four teams to divide among themselves. Just imagine the utility men, the ball boys…if you give them a two-week salary, it wouldn’t settle anything. At this stage, we’re even willing to settle for at least a month because it would be better than nothing," he said.

The MBA has the option to file for bankruptcy and doing this would enable the league to evade the problems regarding the non-payment of the backwages. Chongson said they can’t prevent this from happening but asked the MBA officials to consider the plight of those affected by the league.