AICHI, Japan — The battle for Alas Pilipinas started long before the team stepped onto the Asian Games court.
Team captain Bryan Bagunas revealed that the players have been dealing with financial difficulties in their preparation for the 20th Asian Games, with some even forced to borrow money just to attend training.
Speaking after Alas’ debut loss to South Korea on Sunday, Bagunas said the players have not received their allowances since July, leaving them to shoulder transportation and other expenses on their own.
“’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 shared.
“Sobrang tough para sa amin na mag-ensayo, minsan eight or seven. Sobrang hirap, sobrang tough.”
(C) POC Media Group
The players have helped one another get to training, with some borrowing money from teammates and other people to cover their transportation costs.
“Wala kasi silang pamasahe, wala kaming allowance from July,” Bagunas said.
“Naiintindihan ko naman kasi most of the players are student-athletes, so ayun, nagtulungan lang kami para mag-ensayo nang kumpleto. Yung iba nanghihiram na lang talaga.”
The financial burden has also extended to meals, with players sometimes paying out of pocket when their training schedules do not align with the hotel’s meal times.
“Yung allowance namin from PSC, other than that sari-sarili na,” he said.
“Minsan kami na lang yung gumagastos ng lunch namin, di 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 situation has been particularly painful as Alas continues to represent the Philippines on the Asian Games stage.
“Sobrang nakakalungkot kasi nagre-represent kami for the country, pero ayun, hindi namin nararamdaman yung suporta na para sa amin,” he said.
“Ayun, sobrang na-ano lang ako lalo sa mga bata.”
Now at 0-1 in the tournament, Alas Pilipinas will next face powerhouse China on Monday.
Since these comments came out, the PNVF has acknowledged the issues Bagunas raised and apologized, stating that its current “efforts are not enough” but it is working to address the broader issues the federation faces.
