Former PBA star Alex Cabagnot has called for higher player salaries in the Philippine Basketball Association, arguing that the league’s maximum salary limit should increase as he recalled the contract structure he received when he entered the league in 2005.
In a social media post, Cabagnot revealed that the maximum salary at the time was P350,000 per month, based on his understanding of the league’s compensation rules when he joined the Sta. Lucia Realtors as a rookie.
Cabagnot said his rookie deal included a guaranteed P150,000 for his first year, with performance-based incentives that could increase his salary in subsequent seasons.
Under the contract, he explained, finishing among the top three in assists, assist-to-turnover ratio or steals could trigger a salary increase of up to 50 percent in his second year, depending on his ranking. Similar performance clauses were also included for his third season.
Cabagnot acknowledged that the incentives encouraged him to chase individual statistics, noting that some people criticized him for doing so despite the provisions being written into his contract.
The veteran guard also admitted that he had long believed P350,000 remained the maximum salary until he recently learned that the figure had increased to P450,000.
“I’m glad i Got clarified and 450k na. That is actually Pretty Good,” Cabagnot wrote.
However, he argued that the current ceiling still needs to be raised to reflect the value of professional basketball players.
“CMON PINAS THAT’S JUST RIGHT. THAT MONEY PAY GOTTA MOVE UP. 450k IS SUPER OLD NA.. THAT CAN’T BE THE MAX ANYMORE. PAY THESE GUYS. LIGA LABAS NGA MALAKI PAY,” he said in the graphic accompanying his post.
Cabagnot’s remarks have reignited discussion about compensation in the PBA, particularly the need to review salary limits as the league continues to evolve.
A veteran of multiple PBA teams, Cabagnot built a reputation as one of the league’s dependable guards during a career that included championship runs with San Miguel Beermen.
His experience with the league’s salary structure has given him a personal perspective on the financial realities facing professional players. (Adrian Co)
