Gilas main backer apologizes for max-salary offer for full-time Gilas players

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

Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. president Ronald Mascariñas apologized to the PBA on Thursday after various parties reportedly felt slighted by his earlier pronouncements of willingness to pay Gilas Pilipinas players maximum salaries to go full-time for the national team.

Speaking after Gilas Pilipinas’ evening practice at Meralco Gym, the executive expressed regret over the misunderstanding that stemmed from his bold declaration, clarifying that his statements are simply reflective on how devoted the Chooks-to-Go brand is on aiding the national basketball team.

“I want to clarify Chooks-to-Go is really committed to support the campaign of Gilas Pilipinas all the way to the Olympics in whatever way we can. So my announcement that we’re willing to support a full-time national team, even regarding compensation, there was no intention to put PBA on a bad light,” he said after finishing a meeting with PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa earlier in the day.

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

Mascariñas reiterated that his statements were not meant to offend the PBA teams.

“I told the commissioner that I got too overeager to say that we will match the maximum salaries in the PBA. Other owners felt that we’re raiding them of their players and that’s why I’m apologizing,” he said.

“I’m sorry if it came as we’re bragging. We consider ourselves a small fish in this big pond of basketball. We’re new, we know better, and we’re here to support the PBA and SBP.”

Narvasa, meanwhile, understood where Mascariñas’ eagerness was coming from and he was glad that the Chooks-To-Go executive was able clear things up.

“I think it was done in a sincere effort to be able to show support for the Gilas team,” said the league commissioner.

“You have to understand that it’s a sensitive issue and an issue that we’re trying to work out. Comments like that, whether it’s meant to help, are sometimes taken out of context, so it’s always good that you clear it.”

Though regretful for apparently hurting some feelings, Mascariñas said that his offer for Gilas Pilipinas is still on the table if the SBP and the PBA decides to give them the green light.

“If they need our support for a full-time national team, if the PBA and SBP allows, we’re there. We just want to do it properly this time, that we’re not stepping on anyone. The end objective is we’re still hoping that we can form a competitive national team, and the possibility that it could be full time will always be there. We will continue to support that.”