Ligang labas

Ligang labas is a Tagalog language term for playing in a sports league (oftentimes basketball) other than where a player's team is primarily playing. Translated as "outside league" (or, "league that's not ours"), ligang labas is also a description used by former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players on the leagues that they've played at after leaving the PBA.[1]

Benefits

Pay at ligang labas is lucrative for ex-professionals. Players such as Val Acuña and Lester Alvarez pursued careers via ligang labas after being cut from the PBA rosters.[1] Other players in the ligang labas include Mark Andaya, former PBA Best Import Jamelle Cornley, and two-time Finals MVP Marc Pingris.[2][3] Several ligang labas legends found their way in the rosters of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).[4]

Penalties

Being caught playing in ligang labas while actually in an active roster of another team is almost always severely dealt with. Players sign exclusive contracts to play for their team, and playing elsewhere is a violation of that contract. Players have been suspended, and won games have been forfeited upon proving that a player played in a ligang labas game. Examples of suspended players are Vic Manuel and Ping Exciminiano of the Alaska Aces,[5] Jeff Viernes of the Phoenix Fuel Masters,[6] Ben Mbala of the De La Salle Green Archers,[7] Eloy Poligrates of the Southwestern University Cobras,[8] and RK Ilagan of the San Sebastian Stags. Ilagan's case even involved the National Collegiate Athletic Association docking the Stags' two wins in the 2018 tournament.[9]

Alaska's Calvin Abueva and Gabby Espinas escaped suspension when caught in a ligang labas game in 2013.[10]

On April 23, 2023, during the 2023 PBA offseason, J.R. Quiñahan, along with Beau Belga, Jio Jalalon, and Robert Bolick, participated in an exhibition match in Cebu.[11] In the fourth quarter, a foreign player swung at him, and he punched back, starting a brawl. Quiñahan's involvement in the brawl shocked NLEX's management, as he had been recovering from Achilles tendon surgery, and hadn't been practicing with the team for a long while, other than shooting drills, some weights training and strengthening during practices.[12] Belga was then suspended for six working days without pay for his involvement by Rain or Shine.[13] Belga's teammate Rey Nambatac was also revealed to be playing ligang labas, and was fined for two days' worth of salary.[14] Magnolia then fined Jalalon for 15 days without pay, as he had been a repeat offender.[15] The players involved in the Cebu brawl were then fined by the PBA itself, along with Nambatac, Arwind Santos, Barkley Eboña, Jhonard Clarito, Vic Manuel, and Allyn Bullanadi as they also participated in different ligang labas games.[16] Bolick, who also played in the Cebu exhibition game, was not penalized by the league, as his PBA contract had expired.[17] On May 6, 2023, NLEX terminated Quiñahan's contract, making him a free agent.[18]

References
  1. Joble, Rey (31 January 2018). "Ex-PBA players Acuña, Alvarez proving worth on Batangas in MPBL". BusinessWorld. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  2. "The Final Score: The unconventional basketball life of Big Mac Andaya". GMA News Online. 2014-04-14. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
  3. Jr, Rommel Fuertes (2023-04-15). "Marc Pingris comes out of retirement, set to play for Imus in MPBL". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
  4. Joble, Rey (24 June 2018). "From 'Ligang Labas' to MPBL, Gen San cager now living the dream | FOX Sports PH". FOX Sports PH. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  5. Lozada, Bong. "Alaska suspends Manuel, Exciminiano for playing in 'ligang labas'". INQUIRER.net. No. 2016–12–01. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  6. Sacamos, Karlo (2017-04-17). "Rookie Jeff Viernes hit with sanctions by Phoenix after playing in 'ligang labas' game". Spin.ph. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  7. Dy, Adrian (2015-08-17). "DLSU center Ben Mbala ruled ineligible for upcoming UAAP season - SLAMonline Philippines". SLAMonline Philippines. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
  8. Panerio, Jonas (2016-12-22). "Former PBA guard Eloy Poligrates in hot water for role in brawl at town fiesta". Spin.ph. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  9. "NCAA: San Sebastian forfeits 2 wins after player participated in 'ligang labas'". ABS-CBN News. 2018-08-16. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  10. Flores, Celest R. (2013-01-24). "Abueva, Espinas dodge sanctions from PBA for playing in league in Bulacan". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  11. "PBA notified of Quinahan, Belga role in brawl at Cebu game". Spin.ph. April 23, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  12. Terrado, Jonas (April 24, 2023). "NLEX wants to terminate hefty JR Quiñahan PBA contract". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  13. Terrado, Reuben (April 24, 2023). "RoS suspends Beau Belga without pay for involvement in Cebu game, brawl". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  14. "After Belga, Rey Nambatac fined for playing in 'ligang labas' game". Spin.ph. April 26, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  15. Sayson, Homer D. (April 28, 2023). "Jio Jalalon fined half a month's salary for latest 'ligang labas' caper". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  16. Ramos, Gerry (May 3, 2023). "PBA hits 10 'ligang labas' offenders with fines totalling P590,000". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  17. Ramos, Gerry (May 3, 2023). "Expired contract saves Robert Bolick from ligang labas fine". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  18. Morales, Luisa (May 6, 2023). "NLEX terminates JR Quinahan's contract over 'ligang labas' stint". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 6, 2023.

Further reading
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