MANILA, Philippines, June 1 ------ Even as the PBA's new season was formally launched, a couple of the teams are still in the process of trying to strike deals with their stars.
NLEX, for one, is still in discussions with ace playmaker Kiefer Ravena, who has expressed his desire to return to the Road Warriors' fold for the Philippine Cup before going back to his Japan B. League club Shiga again. "Gusto niya talaga maglaro but the question is, would the PBA allow him to play for one conference?" NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said of Ravena, who joined the squad's three-day team-building session recently.
NLEX and the PBA permitted Ravena to play in Japan last year on condition that he would rejoin the Road Warriors after a season overseas. Such proposed one-conference PBA comeback triggers discussions on whether this would be in line with the previous agreement. "Sumulat sa akin na maglalaro na siya. Pero aalis uli pagkalaro ng first conference," said commissioner Willie Marcial. "So counted ba yun? Papaalisin ba natin o doon na siya tapos saka siya babalik? O aalis siya, pipinahan natin? Yan ang mga kailangang pag-usapan."
Marcial said the league will wait for NLEX's decision first. In the meantime, the Road Warriors didn't include Ravena in its official roster yet. "It doesn't mean that he can't play in the future," said Guiao. "Anytime they allow him, we can put him in the lineup. But whether the one conference will be enough for his return, I think it's for the PBA to interpret it."
Rain or Shine's lineup also didn't have young star Javee Mocon in it. The franchise and the former San Beda ace haven't agreed on a contract extension yet and the Elasto Painters are apparently ready to ship Mocon elsewhere.
There's also a glaring missing player in the NorthPort crew that was released during the presser – sophomore Jamie Malonzo. However, the team clarified the Fil-Am high flyer just inked a fresh deal and would be reinserted to the roster.
Converge also has yet to come to terms with Fil-Ams Abu Tratter, Maverick Ahanmisi and Robbie Herndon, three free agents it inherited from the Alaska franchise.
Phoenix, meanwhile, has secured the commitment of Matthew Wright for this campaign. Wright's contract will expire on Aug. 31. "Matthew Wright is on the roster. He will be playing," said governor Raymond Zorrila. "He has a live contract and he will honor that commitment to play for us. We don't see any problem with Matt playing for the Super LPG Fuel Masters."
Source: philstar.com
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