By WAYLON GALVEZ
Blackwater forward Niño “KG” Canaleta hopes that things will be sorted out between the Elite management and the PBA Commissioner’s office on the issue of ‘practice session’ early this week.
Canaleta, a 16-year PBA veteran, said he and other players felt sad on what has transpired the last two days, which led to team owner Dioceldo Sy’s announcement he is selling the franchise for P150 million.
“Siyempre kung player ka, nakakalungkot na makarinig ng ganon na naibe-benta ang team. Unang papasok sa isip, paano na kaming mga players” said the 6-foot-6 Canaleta.
“Nakausap ko yung ibang teammates ko halos pare-parehas ng sentimiyento, malungkot at nag-aalala. Sana maayos pa din… tiwala naman ako na maayos din yan,” he added.
Sy was criticized after he said in a TV interview that his team held a workout – a move that clearly violates the protocols agreed upon by the PBA and the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), and Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Sy later clarified in reports that he mistakenly used the word “practice” since training sessions are actually prohibited by all teams including the Elite, but some players are using the allotted time to have their personal training at the Aero Gym, in Quezon City.
Canaleta said that he was in fact one of the Blackwater players who grabbed the opportunity to train, “pero ako lang, wala akong kasamang iba, walang akong ibang teammates na nakita.”
However, league commissioner Willie Marcial has fined the team P100,000 for conducting an unofficial practice session, which is prohibited under health protocols.
Aside from that, the PBA is also looking at the reports that the team did 4-on-4 training, which new Elite coach Nash Racela allegedly wasn’t aware until he saw Sy at the venue for a meeting.
The PBA is also investigating the declaration of the Blackwater owner that the franchise is up for sale.
This latest development of players practicing even without the go signal from Marcial, who is waiting for the formal approval and guidelines from the IATF and GAB, put in peril the league’s attempt to start a ‘new normal’ in training.
The league opened last March 8 with a game between San Miguel Beer and the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok for the 2020-21 Philippine Cup, but due to the coronavirus outbreak, Marcial cancelled all the games and the practice sessions of all the 12 teams.
Canaleta, however, feels that everything will be ironed out soon and that Sy will have a change of heart.
“Kilala ko si boss, malamang nabigla yan noong sinabi niya na ibebenta ang franchise. Also, mahal niya ang team at ang mga players. Hindi niya kaya for sure pabayaan kami,” said Canaleta.
