Rain or Shine Not Preventing Mamuyac to Pursue Japan B. League
Rain or Shine management is not preventing star team captain Gian Mamuyac from pursuing an offer to play in the Japan B. League.
That’s why management is not offering the versatile, two-way player a contract extension this early as doing so will mean he cannot entertain offers anymore.
“Management doesn’t want to give contract extension this early as if he signs a contract with us this early, he cannot sign with a team making an offer from Japan anymore,” said Rain or Shine assistant coach Caloy Garcia, also the head of the team’s basketball operations.
“What we can do is make a tender offer before his contract ends June 30 and submit it to the PBA. Since his rights are still with us, whatever their decision would be — whether to pursue playing in Japan or stay with us — we’re willing to help him.”
If Mamuyac won’t sign a contract extension with the Elasto Painters and push through with plans of playing in the Japan B. League, Rain or Shine will still keep his services, but he will have a three-year ban of returning to play in the PBA as per league rules.
Mamuyac’s manager, PJ Pilares of Titan Management Group, in a response to ALL-STAR Magazine, informed this reporter that they’re still negotiating with the Japanese team.
“We shall see,” was Pilares’ response.
But Garcia added that during a conversation with Pilares, they’re focus right now is to negotiate with Rain or Shine.
“Yun ang sinabi nila sa akin yesterday (Tuesday),” said Garcia.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao in a separate interview said that Mamuyac definitely deserves an increase in salary since he’s one of the top-performing players of tne team.
“Hindi naman kataka-takang magkaroon siya ng increase kasi isa siya sa performing players, but syempre, hindi naman namin mainibigay yung presyo katulad nung team na nago-offer from Japan,” said Guiao.
One of the true, honest-to-goodness competitive independent teams in the PBA, Rain or Shine strictly follows the league’s rule in salary cap.
“We acknowledge that it’s only fitting to reward Gian, but we also have to balance things everything because we don’t want to create imbalance in the squad when it cones to salaries,” he added.
Guiao is confident the team will be able to retain Mamuyac and get him ready to play in the season-ending Governors’ Cup.
“I still believe there’s a middle ground between Rain or Shine and Gian, so I’m sure we’ll be able to reach an agreement,” he added.
