By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Filipino Basketball League (Filbasket) is currently in deep trouble after Games and Amusements Board (GAB) revealed their violation of Presidential Decree (PD) 871.
Operating under an amateur playing status during their successfully held first season under a strict bubble, the league was found to have violated Sections 3 and 4 of the said PD.
Sections 3 and 4 of the PD states that any person, entity, or association conducting basketball games without GAB’s consent is unlawful.
GAB further explained that sports tournaments or organizations who observe paying their athletes with salaries shall always coordinate with them before officially starting their league.
In the case of Filbasket, all of their players and coaches were reportedly receiving money from their mother teams to play.
“Filbasket’s previous defiance was ill-advised as the rules on this matter were already well-established. GAB’s advice to organizers is to comply with the law and GAB will always be there to assist in any way it can within the bounds of its mandate,” said GAB chairman Abraham Mitra.
However, Filbasket founder Jai Reyes, a former Ateneo Blue Eagle star, explained that what the players and coaches received were paid allowances.
The Filbasket chief also shared that they will be attempting to coordinate with GAB to address the issue and are planning to upgrade to a professional league.
“We have already notified the GAB through email last December 7, 2021 of our withdrawal of appeal and our intent to turn pro for our next tournament,” said Reyes.
