Mahindra to honor Nuyles’ one-year contract

MANILA, Philippines – Second year PBA team Mahindra will honor the one-year contract Alex Nuyles signed on July 29, Nuyles’ agent Ed Ponceja confirmed to Rappler.

The Manny Pacquiao-coached team came to terms with Nuyles Monday night after the 9th overall pick of the 2013 draft went public with Mahindra saying the contract he signed was invalid. (READ: Nuyles, sports agent explain details of Mahindra contract mess)

In a press release from the PBA released Tuesday, October 6, the third year swingman apologized for the “miscommunication.”

“It was just a case of miscommunication and I sincerely apologize to the management of Mahindra for expressing doubts that they will not honor the contract renewal I signed with KIA (now Mahindra),” he is quoted as saying.

“In this light, I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to Mahindra for giving me this opportunity to play for their team in the forthcoming 2015-2016 PBA season.”

Nuyles’ two-year contract with his original team Rain or Shine expired on August 31 but he was signed a one-year extension with Mahindra as early as July 29. Though he did not have a copy of the contract.

He claimed the team backpedalled on the signed agreement saying the team’s change of name from KIA to Mahindra also entailed a change in the head of basketball operations, who did not want to pick up Nuyles anymore.

This after the team haggled for a lower salary amount that Nuyles accepted.

Nuyles and his agent sought the help of PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa.

According to the PBA statement, Narvasa, who was in China at that time to lend moral support to national team Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Championship, was aware of the problem and had his executive assistant Pita Dobles, who also heads the Players’ Affairs Office, call on the parties involved to shed more light on the matter. 

(READ: Former Mahindra coach Capacio says he was sacked for missing meeting)

The statement said “the case was settled quickly, with both camps reaching an agreement on the night of Narvasa’s arrival.”

Nuyles’ case, as well as that of another Mahindra member Mike Burtscher who posted on his Facebook account about not getting paid, sparked calls to revive the PBA players’ union, which first started in the 1990s but was not sustained.

But the PBA’s press statement said a Players’ Affair Office exists and it was “created to handle all players’ concerns outside of basketball.”

“I’d like to thank Commissioner Narvasa and his Office for the concern and the valuable help they extended to us,” said Ponceja in the statement. “We’re just glad this is over so Alex can fully concentrate on preparing for the coming season.”

The 2016 PBA season tips off on October 18. – Rappler.com