PBA looking to increase the P200K rookie salary cap

Thirdy Ravena (left) is now in Japan while brother Kiefer is reported to have signed a contract with the Shiga Lakestars. (Tristan Tamayo/Inquirer photo)

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA} is considering increasing their rookie salary cap of 200,000 pesos per month.

According to multiple sources from Spin.ph, the league’s special committee that was tasked to look at the PBA’s rules listed the increase of the rookie salary cap as one of the changes to be done.

The committee, headed by Bobby Rosales of Terrafirma, expressed his thoughts regarding the emergence of some Asian basketball leagues that pay more than the PBA.

With Thirdy Ravena becoming the first-ever player under the Asian import quota of the Japan B. League, other promising young basketball stars also followed his footsteps with UP’s Juan Gomez de Liaño already on his way and Thirdy’s brother Kiefer reportedly having a contract with the Shiga Lakestars.

Sources added that the league in Japan pays more than the PBA’s veteran maximum contract per month of 420,000 pesos.

However, the special committee’s proposal will still need the PBA board and commissioner Willie Marcial’s approval for it to materialize.