RR Garcia in the 2013 Draft. Photo by Nuki Sabio, PBA
First-round draftees RR Garcia and Alex Nuyles and No. 11 pick Jeric Teng came to terms with their respective PBA teams yesterday even as former MVP Eric Menk inked a one-year pact with Globalport where he could wind up his impressive career.
Garcia, the former UAAP MVP with Far Eastern U, struck a three-year deal worth P9 million with the Batang Pier, who sustained their buildup by signing the 39-year-old Menk to give them frontline muscle and experience.
Teng and Nuyles, on the other hand, signed two-year deals with Rain or Shine, which refused to divulge the terms of their respective contracts.
“We can’t reveal the financial terms but both players are delighted,” said lawyer Mamerto Mondragon, the Rain or Shine representative to the PBA board.
The Philippine Cup open’s the league’s 39th Season on Nov. 17 with simultaneous games in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Garcia, a point guard, will receive the maximum allowable salary for rookies in his first two years—P150,000 a month in the first season and P225,000 a month in the next. He will be paid P337,500 a month in his third year.
“We believe in his talent, that’s why we gave him a three-year contract,” Globalport owner Mikee Romero said of Garcia, whom the Batang Pier snagged at sixth overall after trading for the right by giving up Denok Miranda. “He’s the future of the team.”
Terrence Romeo, another former UAAP MVP with Far Eastern, was also expected to strike a similar deal with Globalport last night. He was the fifth overall choice in the Draft.
Rain or Shine still has to seal a deal with No. 3 pick, the 6-foot-7 Raymond Almazan, who is still playing for Letran in the NCAA.
“We don’t want to distract his (Almazan’s) attention because of his school commitment, we wish him well,” said Raymund Yu, who co-owns the Elasto Painters with Terry Que.