The recent issues in basketball have caught the interest of some of the noted legal minds in the country, including celebrity lawyer Mel Sta. Maria, who came out with pieces of advice to rising Filipino basketball stars.
His foremost advice?
“Do not immediately jump into the PBA draft. There are other better leagues in Asia and Australia wanting to engage Filipino Players. Make PBA your second, third or even fourth choice,” said Sta. Maria in his Facebook post.
Sta. Maria, TV host, professor and Dean of the College of Law at Far Eastern University, was prompted to post his legal advice in sports following the issue concerning William Raniel Navarro of not being able to join the Korean Basketball League after the world body, FIBA, prevented him for failing to get clearance from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
SBP executive director and spokesman Sonny Barrios explained that the 6’6” Navarro has to honor an existing contract with Gilas Pilipinas and a commitment with a PBA team NorthPort Batang Pier that picked him second overall in the 2021 PBA Draft.
“Getting immediately into the PBA draft after college will not be for your paramount interest, financially, emotionally and physically,” added Sta. Maria.
Barrios said the move was not meant to deny Filipino players of opportunities abroad, but to prevent illegal recruitment of players, who have existing contracts.
“The essence for the need for a letter of clearance is FIBA’s policy of upholding the sanctity of an existing legally binding contract whenever the issue of the player transfer comes about so that proper order is maintained among all stakeholders,” Barrios said.
Sta. Maria said young players should be more careful before signing any contract.
“If you are to join the PBA or any other league, read your contracts very well. Be sure there is no exclusivity clause that will prohibit you from playing in other Asian/Australian leagues. Better still, provide a clause that will allow you to play abroad during times that you are not playing here in an official tournament,” the lawyer said.
Sta. Maria added that contracts should have no clauses that “prohibit you from playing with any other team for a period of time after you disengage from your present team. That will be prejudicial to your interest and that of your family as well.”
And most importantly, Sta. Maria said players must get to know the people they are transacting with.
Know the people with whom you are contracting with and also know league officials whether here or abroad.
“Entering into a contract also includes studying personalities which may have something to do with your contract. Do not enter a contract that is motivated by selfish ends. “