Danny Espiritu, a household name when it comes to managing professional Filipino basketball players, gave a piece of advice to soon-to-be players' agents/managers if they want to stay in the business.
"If the players come to you and seek your help, help them, give them advice as if they are part of your family members. Huwag mo silang pangakuan at dominahin dahil bawat tao may sariling pag-iisip," said Espiritu.
"Yung contract ng players dapat huwag mo ring gamitin na pang-hostage sa kanila. Kung ayaw nila sayo pabayaan mo silang makipag-usap sa iba. Huwag mong takutin na madedemanda dahil sa kontrata, pag ginawa mo yan, sigurado buong basketball community malalaman yan mas lalayo sayo ang mga players," added Espiritu, who revealed that since he started in the business in 1987, he never had a contract to his more than 100 players in the Philippine professional leagues, including Arwind Santos, currently the Commissioner of the fledging National Basketball Championship (NBC) Inter-High.
"Tatanungin ko lang siya kung ano and gusto niya. Ilalapit ko ito sa mga teams kung walang kukuha, ibibigay ko sa players yung gusto ng mga teams para may option siya.Ngayon, kung ayaw niya yun kumausap siya ng iba na ilalapit yung kontratang gusto niya sa team."
Known in the basketball circle as Boss Danny, he also revealed that some agents/managers are trying hard to secure the players by signing them to a contract even though they are still playing in high school.
"Hindi tama yan. While in high school, pabayaan ninyong ang eskwelahan ang mag-managed ng kanilang career,kasi may responsibility parin sila sa academic nila. Tapos kung aalis sa poder mo, idedemanda mo for 'breach of contract'. Hindi maganda di ba?," said Espiritu.
He claimed that players as young as 16 years old, playing in high school tournaments have to come to him and ask him to represent them. But he refused.
"Kahit superstar ka sa high school dyan ka lang muna. Gusto mo ng tulong ko tutulungan kita, pero di kita itatali sa kontrata," he added.
Espiritu said that he expressed gratitude to the organizers. association and even private entities that continue to support basketball and young players in their quest for sports excellence.
"Outside established league like UAAP and NCAA, marami pa ring liga na napaglalaruan ang ating mga kabataan, yung National Basketball Conference (NBC) Inter-High maganda dahil private schools sa mga proivinces yun mga teams nila. Dito kasi magsisimula ang lahat, marami dyan eventually magiging schoalrs sa college," claimed Espiritu.
Through Jams Sports, the Jamsap Entertainment Corporation led by Chief Executive Officer Jojo Flores is currently working on the completion of its North and South Luzon Conference for the NBC-Inter High.
The NBC tournament is targeted over 200 schools nationwide.
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