Chooks To Go willing to offer ‘max salary’ to full-time Gilas players

Ronald Mascariñas, president and general manager of Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. Photo by Mark Giongco

Chooks To Go, a major sponsor of Gilas Pilipinas, is looking at the possibility of bankrolling the Philippine men’s national team.

That’s if the squad will have players suiting up for the Philippine team on a full-time basis.

Ronald Mascariñas, president and general manager of Bounty Agro Ventures Inc., whose holding company Chooks To Go is in its first of a four-year commitment with the national team, made his glitzy pitch during the team’s sendoff on Wednesday.

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“We’re making this offer that we’re willing to finance full-time national team players if we can work something out with the SBP and the PBA,” Mascariñas told reporters.

“As an incentive for them, we’re willing to give the maximum salary allowed in the PBA to the national player.”

Chooks To Go in its first of a four-year commitment with the national team.

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Mascariñas said his suggestion has been done before with the formation of Northern Consolidated under the leadership of San Miguel Corporation chairman Danding Cojuangco. The team achieved international success in the 1980s.

“Financing a national team is not a new idea. Northern Consolidated in the past ran a very successful program and we want to do that again, hopefully,” Mascariñas said.

Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio praised Chooks To Go for its full support to the national team since their partnership was announced late last year.

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Antonio also expressed interest in Mascariñas’ plans for the country’s men’s basketball program.

“You have to give it to Chooks To Go. They have not relented in support. When they were unleashed, they were really unleashed,” Antonio said.

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“With regard to that plan, it’s something we can expound and talk about. And right now, nothing is cast in stone, it’s not even put on any table for discussion but that is an option that can be cultivated,” he added. “Anything that can help the program, help the federation and help the Philippines in general then it’s something that we should really look at.”