Ligang labas

Ligang labas is a Tagalog language term for playing in a sports league (almost always basketball) other than where a player's team is primarily playing. Translated as "outside league" (or, "league that's not ours"), ligang labas are small pocket tournaments outside the televised leagues. This was also a description by former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players on the leagues that they've played at after leaving the PBA.[1]

Pay at ligang labas is lucrative for ex-professionals. Players such as Val Acuña and Lester Alvarez pursued careers via ligang labas after being cut from the PBA rosters.[1] Other players in the ligang labas include Mark Andaya, and former PBA Best Import Jamelle Cornley.[2] Several ligang labas legends found their way in the rosters of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).[3]

Being caught playing in ligang labas while actually in an active roster of another team is almost always severely dealt with. Players sign exclusive contracts to play for their team, and playing elsewhere is a violation of that contract. Players have been suspended, and won games have been forfeited upon proving that a player played in a ligang labas game. Examples of suspended players are Vic Manuel and Ping Exciminiano of the Alaska Aces,[4] Jeff Viernes of the Phoenix Fuel Masters,[5] Ben Mbala of the De La Salle Green Archers,[6] Eloy Poligrates of the Southwestern University Cobras,[7] and RK Ilagan of the San Sebastian Stags. Ylagan's case even involved the National Collegiate Athletic Association docking the Stags' two wins in the 2018 tournament.[8]

Alaska's Calvin Abueva and Gabby Espinas escaped suspension when caught in a ligang labas game in 2013.[9]

References
  1. Joble, Rey (31 January 2018). "Ex-PBA players Acuña, Alvarez proving worth on Batangas in MPBL". BusinessWorld. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  2. "The Final Score: The unconventional basketball life of Big Mac Andaya". GMA News Online. 2014-04-14. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
  3. Joble, Rey (24 June 2018). "From 'Ligang Labas' to MPBL, Gen San cager now living the dream | FOX Sports PH". FOX Sports PH. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  4. Lozada, Bong. "Alaska suspends Manuel, Exciminiano for playing in 'ligang labas'". INQUIRER.net (2016-12-01). Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  5. Sacamos, Karlo (2017-04-17). "Rookie Jeff Viernes hit with sanctions by Phoenix after playing in 'ligang labas' game". Spin.ph. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  6. Dy, Adrian (2015-08-17). "DLSU center Ben Mbala ruled ineligible for upcoming UAAP season - SLAMonline Philippines". SLAMonline Philippines. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
  7. Panerio, Jonas (2016-12-22). "Former PBA guard Eloy Poligrates in hot water for role in brawl at town fiesta". Spin.ph. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  8. "NCAA: San Sebastian forfeits 2 wins after player participated in 'ligang labas'". ABS-CBN News. 2018-08-16. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  9. Flores, Celest R. (2013-01-24). "Abueva, Espinas dodge sanctions from PBA for playing in league in Bulacan". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 17 August 2018.

Further reading
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