By: Miguel Caramoan
It has been a month since San Sebastian College-Recoletos head coach Rob Labagala revealed that while the school has been providing their part of the salaries and allowances, the players and coaching staff of the Golden Stags and some players from the Staglets have not received their share from team booster Jackson Chua.
Since then, there have been no significant developments.
Labagala shared with Tiebreaker Times that the last time they received their salaries and allowances was back in May — six months ago.
“Hoping pa rin kami na ma-settle na nila yung allowances ng players and salaries namin as coaches,” said Labagala.
Still, the Golden Stags and Staglets fought on.
The Golden Stags finished the elimination round with a 3–10 record before bowing to the Lyceum Pirates in the play-in, 70–63. Meanwhile, the Staglets went 4–9 in the elimination phase but stunned the Junior Pirates in the play-in, 85–80.
They eventually fell to the EAC Brigadiers in the quarterfinals, 71–70, ending their campaign.
Labagala revealed that this situation at San Sebastian has persisted since June.
Even the preseason tournament in Taiwan last September was not made possible by their team sponsor but through Labagala’s own connections.
“Nung nag-finalize kami na okay na, tuloy. Siya (Chua) yung nag-book ng airfare. During that time, walang allowances, pocket money, o kahit pambayad sa travel tax. Labas ng pera yung coaches. Talagang diskarte na lang,” said Labagala, noting that lodging for the tournament was covered by the organizers.
It was only on the final day of the PCCU Cup that Chua eventually gave the team ₱100,000.
Reflecting on the situation, Labagala expressed his gratitude, “I really want to thank our players, the priests, and my staff. The players who stayed, nag-effort talaga. Imagine playing while carrying that kind of burden — six months without pay from one part — yet they still gave their all on the court. It’s not easy.”
It was not just Labagala who shelled out his personal money to support the team; the entire coaching staff also contributed.
There was, however, a Christmas miracle for San Sebastian last month when an unlikely donor stepped in — Strong Group chairman Frank Lao.
Despite also backing rival schools Letran and St. Benilde, Lao gave financial aid to the Stags.
Labagala shared his appreciation for the gesture, “Kahit competitors sila Boss Frank, nandun pa rin siya para tumulong. Talagang tumulong siya sa amin, at na-appreciate talaga ng mga bata ang ginawa niya para sa amin.”
For Labagala, he hopes that what his team experienced will serve as a cautionary tale.
“I just hope that no other team or player has to go through what we went through. Six months without pay from one source is a heavy burden, and it shouldn’t happen to anyone else,” he concluded.
