The high-leaping swingman played 16 years in the league.
Getting a salary raise makes employees happy. It motivates them to push harder. It gives them validation. It encourages them to take pride in their work. Generally, better pay leads to better results. That’s just how it works.
For former cager Cyrus Baguio, the same concept applies in the PBA. In the latest vlog by fellow basketball legend Mac Cardona, Baguio gave his opinion on the supposed need for PBA teams to raise the players’ salaries.
The UST Growling Tigers product’s stance on the matter has something to do with the Filipino hoopers’ so-called exodus to foreign lands, such as Japan and South Korea, where the paychecks are much bigger.
“Kasi marami ng umaalis sa atin, naglalaro sa ibang bansa. Ang request ko lang is taasan nila (PBA teams) ‘yung suweldo,” Baguio said.
To expound on his point, the three-time PBA champion, who now joins the PBA Motoclub in exhibition games, stressed how fickle and short a basketball player’s career is.
“Ang career ng player, saglit lang ‘yan—10 years, mahaba na ‘yon. Maraming mga bata, ‘pag pumasok ka ng 30 (years old), may magpapa-draft na mga 23-year-old, mura pa (ang bayad),” Baguio added.
He then explained the need for extra compensation among players by highlighting the contrast between a pro hooper and someone with a regular job.
“Tayo kasi, gumagamit tayo ng lakas natin. ‘Yung iba na sa office nagwo-work, kahit na tumanda ka, kahit na mag-70 ka, stable ka,” the former PBA Finals MVP stressed.
"Pero kami kasi, ang puhunan namin, lakas at bilis. Iba ‘yung labanan dito. ‘Yun nga, sana taasan nila ‘yung salary kasi short lang ‘yung years ng players,” he reiterated.
Reportedly, the maximum salary currently allowed for veterans in the PBA is P420,000 a month. A rookie, meanwhile, can only receive a maximum pay of P200,000 per month.
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Despite his risky style of play, Skyrus had a long illustrious career in the PBA, suiting up for six teams in 16 years before retiring in 2019. Not many players, however, will have the longevity that he had.
(PM)