Financial difficulties have added another layer of pressure to Alas Pilipinas Men’s Asian Games campaign, with team captain Bryan Bagunas revealing that some players have resorted to borrowing money to cover transportation and other expenses.
Speaking after the Philippines opened its tournament with a straight-set loss to South Korea on Sunday, Bagunas said the players had yet to receive their allowances since July.
The situation has reportedly forced teammates to help one another with expenses just to ensure that everyone can attend training sessions.
“’Yun nga, regarding sa allowance namin, kahit ‘yung ibang players nangungutang na sa other players, or sa mga ibang tao, para makapunta sa training or pauwi sa kanilang mga bahay,” Bagunas said. “Sobrang tough para sa amin na mag-ensayo, minsan eight or seven, sobrang hirap, sobrang tough.”
Bagunas said the financial strain has been particularly difficult for the team’s student-athletes, who have had to find ways to cover their transportation costs without the expected allowances.
“Wala kasi silang pamasahe, wala kaming allowance from July,” he said. “Naiintindihan ko naman kasi most of the players are student-athletes, so ayun, nagtulungan lang kami para mag-ensayo nang kumpleto. Iyung iba nanghihiram na lang talaga.”
Players have also been forced to shoulder some meal expenses when their training schedules conflict with the hotel’s designated meal times.
“Yung allowance namin from PSC, other than that sari-sarili na,” Bagunas said. “Minsan kami na lang iyung gumagastos ng lunch namin, hindi na kami umaabot sa meal eh, kasi ‘yung training namin hindi na umaabot, alanganin sa meal time sa hotel, so ayun kanya-kanya na lang na gastos, out of pocket.”
For Bagunas, the circumstances have been especially difficult because the players are representing the country at the continental tournament.
“Sobrang nakakalungkot kasi nagre-represent kami for the country, pero ayun, hindi namin nararamdaman iyung suporta na para sa amin,” he said. “Ayun, sobrang na-ano lang ako lalo sa mga bata.”
The Philippines faces another major challenge, Monday, when it takes on China, the reigning Asian Games silver medalist.
(Adrian Co)
