2022–23 PBA Commissioner's Cup

[Sanitough]

When Romeo got  back, they have improved a lot, the old SMB is back while Romeo has finally showed his 100% potential to the team and I would not be surrpise if he will again with the Finals MVP in case SMB will win the championship in this conference.

He is more focus as the game set up was a bubble type away from any intrigue and aside from social media where he might see some criticism but by far I see good chemistry inside SMB. They are moving and trying to make proper sets for the open man.
Romeo is benefiting since coach Leo is letting him to play the way he loves the most. Scoring is not new to him as a ball hogger
But kidding aside, he's a legit scorer and without those injuries he might bring more, as he still young and still at his prime, and very possible to win another final MVP.

He has more freedom and confidence now that he is surrounded with scorers and good rebounders, it's easy for him to pass the ball if he is trap and the problem is their opponent can no longer double him anymore like what they did back in NP since they know that SMB has a lot of shooters that will be open.

Well, relying on only one player might not win them every game or win them crucial ones every time. But yes, Greg's addition to the team is a great one. They have changed and look hungry for the dub after Greg joined. And Malonzo is looking quite well. Hope he can hold onto his good form.

NP has changed their system, they are not relying on one player only, I think they did not play great basketball when they acquire C. Stand as their system does not fit on the style of C. Stand, so now they just find a big man that could fit on their style. I'm sure Greg is happy with his teammates, it does not only help him boost his record but also make the team better.

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[Russlenat]

COLUMN: The PBA ship is leaking talent and it's doing nothing

CHICAGO - With his striking good looks and graceful demeanor, 6-foot-4 Dwight Ramos would have towered over the PBA as one of its next big stars for years to come.

Having previously committed to Ateneo, a bridge that often leads to the MVP Group in the pro circle, the versatile 23-year old Fil-Am could have been the knight in shining armor that empowers TNT to storm the SMC castle.

Not anymore. Not now at least.

Like that magic dragon in Peter, Paul and Mary's ballad, Ramos went puff, his roar snatched by the Toyoma Grouses of the Japan B League.

As the number of talents eloping to the land of Toyota continues to rise, the PBA is once again left at the altar of scorn and ignored.

One leak is fine. Two is okay. Heck, three is a mere pest.

But 8?

The quality of basketball in the Philippines is slowly diminishing because our supposed to star in the future are playing with other countries due to their competitive salary, just like our good professionals in the Philippines choose to work abroad for greener pasture.

What can the PBA do to stop them from choosing other league over the PBA, I think this brings a serious message that they have to act immediately.

[freedomgo]

What can the PBA do to stop them from choosing other league over the PBA, I think this brings a serious message that they have to act immediately.

There's no problem with that as we have a lot of talents in the PBA, but this is a good wake up call that the PBA league has to start reviewing their rules especially on the salary as that's the main reason why an employee is leaving the company if we compare it with a real-life working scenario.

PBA can still survive, but their brand will slowly go down as we have a lot of fo leagues already in the Philippines and people have an option, hence the competition is getting higher, but since Filipino loves basketball, they'll never lose an audience.

[bisdak40]

What can the PBA do to stop them from choosing other league over the PBA, I think this brings a serious message that they have to act immediately.

This is a very serious problem for the PBA indeed and they must act before it is too late (just don't know how lol).

At first, I thought that this is just a minor issue as not all players are capable of playing in the Japan Leauge but seeing future superstars like Dwight Ramos taking his act on that league makes me wonder how much do teams in Japan pay our players to lure them into their team.

The PBA just can't raise the salary of its players because of this as this might be temporary I guess because doing so might affect those teams who are not that rich enough to pay for talented players, just my thought.

[Hypnosis00]

What can the PBA do to stop them from choosing other league over the PBA, I think this brings a serious message that they have to act immediately.

There's no problem with that as we have a lot of talents in the PBA, but this is a good wake up call that the PBA league has to start reviewing their rules especially on the salary as that's the main reason why an employee is leaving the company if we compare it with a real-life working scenario.

PBA can still survive, but their brand will slowly go down as we have a lot of fo leagues already in the Philippines and people have an option, hence the competition is getting higher, but since Filipino loves basketball, they'll never lose an audience.

Maybe he is only concerned that our talents will be taken by the foreign countries.

There could be a little effect on the PBA league only but in the international competition, our team might not be as strong as it was before because more than the talent, the chemistry is the most important and the basketball brand abroad is different compared to the Philippines.

[goinmerry]

This is a very serious problem for the PBA indeed and they must act before it is too late (just don't know how lol).

I think can't consider as a big problem for now. Only talented ones are those given opportunities.

But if we are seeing PBA players, with a performance like Rich Alvarez, Kelly Nabong, being signed by other leagues in another country, that was now alarming because even showing no improvements in PBA, they are still being signed and consider lol.

[Fredomago]

This is a very serious problem for the PBA indeed and they must act before it is too late (just don't know how lol).

I think can't consider as a big problem for now. Only talented ones are those given opportunities.

But if we are seeing PBA players, with a performance like Rich Alvarez, Kelly Nabong, being signed by other leagues in another country, that was now alarming because even showing no improvements in PBA, they are still being signed and consider lol.

Hahaha   But seriously, I see your point and there are still many left who wanted to continue playing inside PBA, allow those players who choose to explore their careers outside and bring glory to our country.

While those who choose to stay to continue entertaining their fans should get some decent bonus under the table, something that they can enjoy by choosing to stay.

Though rumors are there that those stars who didn't proceed, even a good paycheck has been offered to them are enjoying the perks coming from SMC corp. They are being taking cared accordingly.

[Kelvinid]

Though rumors are there that those stars who didn't proceed, even a good paycheck has been offered to them are enjoying the perks coming from SMC corp. They are being taking cared accordingly.

That's what Terrence Romeo said that's why he choose to stay despite the offer abroad. Mostly, those who played in Japan are rookies, or players that have not played in the PBA yet, so maybe the PBA will do measures like giving their player a long term contract so they will have no chance to retire PBA and play outside the country.

Only two things would happen IMO, increase their salary or come up with a strict policy if they can't increase the salary.

[harizen]

What can the PBA do to stop them from choosing other league over the PBA, I think this brings a serious message that they have to act immediately.

They can do something but what will be the feedback of the community if they will do that?

Remember the Kiefer Ravena issue wherein PBA, even in the right stand, still got backlash from the community and I think even here in this thread because people think they are getting the way of Kiefer to play abroad? If the community will not support them about it then it will affect PBA's reputation so better not take action and just allow their players to play abroad. In the case of Dwight Ramos, it's just fine to play abroad since after all, he's not in PBA yet.

It's also easy for others to say that PBA players should have a high salary but it's not that simple to approved. That's why there are good perks offered instead in case of a good run per conference wherein in some cases, the perks are much higher compared to the salary of the player that usually receives.

[Sanitough]

What can the PBA do to stop them from choosing other league over the PBA, I think this brings a serious message that they have to act immediately.

They can do something but what will be the feedback of the community if they will do that?

Remember the Kiefer Ravena issue wherein PBA, even in the right stand, still got backlash from the community and I think even here in this thread because people think they are getting the way of Kiefer to play abroad? If the community will not support them about it then it will affect PBA's reputation so better not take action and just allow their players to play abroad. In the case of Dwight Ramos, it's just fine to play abroad since after all, he's not in PBA yet.

It's also easy for others to say that PBA players should have a high salary but it's not that simple to approved. That's why there are good perks offered instead in case of a good run per conference wherein in some cases, the perks are much higher compared to the salary of the player that usually receives.

Because when they give big salary, big portion of that will still go to the government due to taxes, so they will give some allowance or reward instead as they could play it not to pay taxes on it, or if they will, it would only be a minimal amount. Unfortunately, this is only good for good teams as they are the teams that will likely be in the Finals or in the playoffs, low ranking teams will not have this kind of benefits.

[harizen]

What can the PBA do to stop them from choosing other league over the PBA, I think this brings a serious message that they have to act immediately.

They can do something but what will be the feedback of the community if they will do that?

Remember the Kiefer Ravena issue wherein PBA, even in the right stand, still got backlash from the community and I think even here in this thread because people think they are getting the way of Kiefer to play abroad? If the community will not support them about it then it will affect PBA's reputation so better not take action and just allow their players to play abroad. In the case of Dwight Ramos, it's just fine to play abroad since after all, he's not in PBA yet.

It's also easy for others to say that PBA players should have a high salary but it's not that simple to approved. That's why there are good perks offered instead in case of a good run per conference wherein in some cases, the perks are much higher compared to the salary of the player that usually receives.

Because when they give big salary, big portion of that will still go to the government due to taxes, so they will give some allowance or reward instead as they could play it not to pay taxes on it, or if they will, it would only be a minimal amount. Unfortunately, this is only good for good teams as they are the teams that will likely be in the Finals or in the playoffs, low ranking teams will not have this kind of benefits.

Actually, it's not about the tax as the main concern.

There's a salary cap for each team. The purpose of it is to balance everything so that dominant teams can't just acquire and offer a big contract to a superstar. In the case of the NBA, it's effective because the majority of teams there can afford to spend a luxury contract if necessary. In the case of PBA, not that effective because only a few can handle the big cost. If PBA boards will allow another increase in salary cap per team, it will just result for SMC teams as an example to become more dominant because they afford to spend big unlike smaller teams.

That was critical and a sensitive issue because not all companies in the PBA are having the same level. That's one of the reasons why salaries in PBA can't just simply increase. Perks are also limited in terms of legal terms but as we know SMC is giving their players more of it under the table if a certain achievement was made.

[Sanitough]

What can the PBA do to stop them from choosing other league over the PBA, I think this brings a serious message that they have to act immediately.

They can do something but what will be the feedback of the community if they will do that?

Remember the Kiefer Ravena issue wherein PBA, even in the right stand, still got backlash from the community and I think even here in this thread because people think they are getting the way of Kiefer to play abroad? If the community will not support them about it then it will affect PBA's reputation so better not take action and just allow their players to play abroad. In the case of Dwight Ramos, it's just fine to play abroad since after all, he's not in PBA yet.

It's also easy for others to say that PBA players should have a high salary but it's not that simple to approved. That's why there are good perks offered instead in case of a good run per conference wherein in some cases, the perks are much higher compared to the salary of the player that usually receives.

Because when they give big salary, big portion of that will still go to the government due to taxes, so they will give some allowance or reward instead as they could play it not to pay taxes on it, or if they will, it would only be a minimal amount. Unfortunately, this is only good for good teams as they are the teams that will likely be in the Finals or in the playoffs, low ranking teams will not have this kind of benefits.

Actually, it's not about the tax as the main concern.

There's a salary cap for each team. The purpose of it is to balance everything so that dominant teams can't just acquire and offer a big contract to a superstar. In the case of the NBA, it's effective because the majority of teams there can afford to spend a luxury contract if necessary. In the case of PBA, not that effective because only a few can handle the big cost. If PBA boards will allow another increase in salary cap per team, it will just result for SMC teams as an example to become more dominant because they afford to spend big unlike smaller teams.

That was critical and a sensitive issue because not all companies in the PBA are having the same level. That's one of the reasons why salaries in PBA can't just simply increase. Perks are also limited in terms of legal terms but as we know SMC is giving their players more of it under the table if a certain achievement was made.

There's a salary cap but I think it's only on paper as one coach complain that the salary cap was not followed, teams owned by Cojuangco and Pangilinan seem not to be following the salary cap or they directed it.

https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/pba-p5-million-reward-for-whistle-blower-on-salary-cap-violation-a791-20200428

THE last few paragraphs of our story on Kenneth Duremdes' league-record contract, about a reward of around P5 million offered by the PBA for any information that leads to a salary-cap violation getting caught, have raised a lot of eyebrows.

He would not say it if there was no violation happening, it's just that most teams are owned by big names and probably they control the league as well, so those who are setting cannot freely implement the rules. It's an speculation but I read this somewhere.

[Russlenat]

https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/pba-p5-million-reward-for-whistle-blower-on-salary-cap-violation-a791-20200428

THE last few paragraphs of our story on Kenneth Duremdes' league-record contract, about a reward of around P5 million offered by the PBA for any information that leads to a salary-cap violation getting caught, have raised a lot of eyebrows.

He would not say it if there was no violation happening, it's just that most teams are owned by big names and probably they control the league as well, so those who are setting cannot freely implement the rules. It's an speculation but I read this somewhere.

This states that it's really happening but no one had reported it, with the big amount of reward, that means they badly want to know which teams are violating the salary cap. I guess if the PBA wants to solve this problem, they just have to increase the salary cap so they can give a competitive salary.

Compared to the salary players are getting when playing in B League, maybe it's more than 100% of what they will receive in the PBA, so you know they will choose the team with a better offer, and though teams like SMB could give a good bonus and salary, they can only accommodate few numbers of players.

[Bttzed03]

Are we really short of talent to worry about players choosing to play abroad? Let's accept the fact that PBA and its sponsors couldn't match every offer made by wealthier leagues in other countries even if they increase salary caps. So what else could be done? They could at least improve the support for locally organized leagues and expand their scouting for players with potential. I believe we have still many talented players wasted because they were unnoticed. They couldn't attend prestigious schools, where most players are discovered, due to lack of finances.

[goinmerry]

Are we really short of talent to worry about players choosing to play abroad? Let's accept the fact that PBA and its sponsors couldn't match every offer made by wealthier leagues in other countries even if they increase salary caps. So what else could be done? They could at least improve the support for locally organized leagues and expand their scouting for players with potential. I believe we have still many talented players wasted because they were unnoticed. They couldn't attend prestigious schools, where most players are discovered, due to lack of finances.

You are right.

As I said above, I'm not that worried if some players choose to play abroad because not all are granted to have that. We still have many more PBA players that prefer to stay in the league because they don't have any offers to play abroad.

If we saw some superstars of PBA teams is making such transfers abroad, then we can call it alarming. For now, we shouldn't worry.

[Sanitough]

https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/pba-p5-million-reward-for-whistle-blower-on-salary-cap-violation-a791-20200428

THE last few paragraphs of our story on Kenneth Duremdes' league-record contract, about a reward of around P5 million offered by the PBA for any information that leads to a salary-cap violation getting caught, have raised a lot of eyebrows.

He would not say it if there was no violation happening, it's just that most teams are owned by big names and probably they control the league as well, so those who are setting cannot freely implement the rules. It's an speculation but I read this somewhere.

This states that it's really happening but no one had reported it, with the big amount of reward, that means they badly want to know which teams are violating the salary cap. I guess if the PBA wants to solve this problem, they just have to increase the salary cap so they can give a competitive salary.

Compared to the salary players are getting when playing in B League, maybe it's more than 100% of what they will receive in the PBA, so you know they will choose the team with a better offer, and though teams like SMB could give a good bonus and salary, they can only accommodate few numbers of players.

Probably, people say that PBA is rigged, if it's rigged then we can expect that more corruption happening inside, and that includes the violation of salary cap.

Are we really short of talent to worry about players choosing to play abroad? Let's accept the fact that PBA and its sponsors couldn't match every offer made by wealthier leagues in other countries even if they increase salary caps. So what else could be done? They could at least improve the support for locally organized leagues and expand their scouting for players with potential. I believe we have still many talented players wasted because they were unnoticed. They couldn't attend prestigious schools, where most players are discovered, due to lack of finances.

You are right.

As I said above, I'm not that worried if some players choose to play abroad because not all are granted to have that. We still have many more PBA players that prefer to stay in the league because they don't have any offers to play abroad.

If we saw some superstars of PBA teams is making such transfers abroad, then we can call it alarming. For now, we shouldn't worry.

Most superstars in the PBA league now are not young anymore, if they will play abroad, their future might be at risk as the B league in Japan does not offer long term contract on players that they saw would be a liability in the long run.

[mirakal]

Terraferma's lucky run is over.

They suffered their 2nd defeat after the win streak and this time against the North Port.
A 20 points blowout win by the North Port and Tiongson only manage to score 9 points.

84-104 was the score.

[Viscore]

Terraferma's lucky run is over.

They suffered their 2nd defeat after the win streak and this time against the North Port.
A 20 points blowout win by the North Port and Tiongson only manage to score 9 points.

84-104 was the score.

Maybe they will start losing because they are already checked and good teams know already how to beat them. Maybe the coach will change their strategy, they have more players that are capable of contributing not only Tiongson. Meanwhile, the last game is happening now, Blackwater vs Phoenix, it's a close game so far, will this be the game that Blackwater will finally win?

[ultrloa]

Terraferma's lucky run is over.

They suffered their 2nd defeat after the win streak and this time against the North Port.
A 20 points blowout win by the North Port and Tiongson only manage to score 9 points.

84-104 was the score.

Maybe they will start losing because they are already checked and good teams know already how to beat them. Maybe the coach will change their strategy, they have more players that are capable of contributing not only Tiongson. Meanwhile, the last game is happening now, Blackwater vs Phoenix, it's a close game so far, will this be the game that Blackwater will finally win?

Its hard to say that they will start losing since they broke there streak and maybe that game is not their day that's why we see how Northport bail them out and take the win maybe we can say this after they lose again on their next game since for sure it will lower down their confidence especially if they face more stronger team which is at the top of the standings these season.

[LogitechMouse]

The quality of basketball in the Philippines is slowly diminishing because our supposed to star in the future are playing with other countries due to their competitive salary, just like our good professionals in the Philippines choose to work abroad for greener pasture.

What can the PBA do to stop them from choosing other league over the PBA, I think this brings a serious message that they have to act immediately.

Those who are going in the Japan B-League mostly are players who aren't playing in the PBA with the exception of Kiefer Ravena. Anyway there are 2 reasons that I think we know why they are going into other league.

1. Age restrictions - in order for a player to enter the draft, they must be at least 22 years old. There might be some that have reached 22 years old and older but they prefer to play in Japan probably because of competition, experience and the second one that I will say.
2. Money or Salary - lets face the truth that Japan is a rich country and if you will compare the salary of players in Japan and PH, the difference is very big. These players have families to feed anyway and include also the fact that they will learn more if they will play into other leagues.

What can PBA do to stop what is happening?? One way that I'm seeing is an expansion. I mean add more teams so they can add more talented players. Another one is to increase the salary but I will not expect for this to happen.