Narvasa on Pacquiao’s new basketball league: ‘There is still no conflict’

September 21, 2017 - 8:13 PM
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PBA Media Bureau

Senator Manny Pacquiao isn’t violating his contractual obligations in the PBA with the launch of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League which he founded recently.

Pacquiao is still listed as the head coach of Kia Picanto, although his contract with the club has expired already.

“I sent the same question to Kia. They said they are currently negotiating (with Pacquiao) and to give them a little bit more time to answer. Besides, the league associated with Senator Pacquiao has not yet started so technically, there is still no conflict,” PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa told InterAksyon.

The MPBL, a home-and-away league, raised eyebrows from several PBA board members despite Pacquiao’s assurances that it’s not meant to rival the PBA.

A source privy to the MPBL told InterAksyon some players are offered a salary of P250,000 a month–higher than the salary of some PBA players.

“Eh kung hindi sila pro league bakit ganun kalaki sweldo? Can we say that it’s not a pro league na ganun kalaki sweldo?,” said the source who requested anonymity.