Jinggoy Estrada was entangled in a controversy
Senator Jinggoy Estrada is reportedly the owner of the San Juan Knights team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) that allegedly paid basketball player Mike Phillips P850,000.
Phillips is from the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archer, and he is known as a do-it-all forward, Mike Phillips. His transfer to San Juan has garnered a lot of attention.
Based on the article in Abante, people’s attention was caught by Phillip not only because of his successful career in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) but also because of the monthly salary he is set to receive from the Knights.
The former De La Salle Green Archers standout and UAAP Finals MVP is one of the young players who chose to take the MPBL path in his young pro career – a sign of a change in the local basketball landscape.
At the same time, the San Juan Knights franchise connected to Senator Jinggoy Estrada has once again received attention. Currently, the actor-turned-politician is facing charges before the Sandiganbayan related to the alleged misuse of the priority development assistance fund, while remaining on bail.
DWAR 1494 Abante Radyo Sports Now analyst and insider Homer Sayson said that Phillips will be paid P850,000 per month. Because of this, the issue involving the Senator’s team and his basketball team was added with a new dimension.
With the supposed salary, the MPBL is no longer just a haven for aging and salary-disgruntled PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) players, but it’s also a viable jump point for former college stars.
For Sayson, the financial consideration is among the key factors in players’ decisions. Even though PBA remains the premier pro basketball league, this matter is said to show that young players are more thoughtful about their options, and they are basing this on opportunity, development, and financial stability.
As of this writing, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has not yet reacted to this speculation about the salary from his basketball team.