‘Claims against NBTC just a misunderstanding’

UNIVERSITY of the Visayas stud Jancork Cabahug and the rest of his camp expressed their gratitude to the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) for giving the youngster the opportunity to suit up alongside the country’s best high school players in the recently concluded National High School All Star Game.

Cabahug’s uncle, Skipper, reached out to the NBTC in the hopes of clearing up the hullaballoo that stemmed from an article that was published in a local daily, which claimed that the younger Cabahug had to pay for his new pair of Nikes. It also claimed that he was not reimbursed for the plane fare from his Cebu to Manila trip.

Skipper said that the issue is just a huge misunderstanding.

“They were just talking in a group and Jancork said that he’s alright with not getting a refund for his plane ticket since he already got a new pair of shoes. He didn’t know that the envelop that he was given contained the refund since he thought he was just being given an allowance,” shared Skipper.

Cabahug’s plane fare during the All Star tryouts though, was not refunded although it was made very clear by NBTC officials prior to the tryouts that they would be flying on their own dime due to budget constraints.

NBTC management headed by Eric Altamirano and his wife, Marissa, were surprised upon reading the allegations and said that they were both willing to present official documents to shed light on the matter.

“All of the Division 1 All Stars got free pairs of Nikes. It just so happened that Nike wasn’t able to provide for those with bigger sizes. We prioritized those that came from abroad or from outside of Manila. Those that didn’t get were from Manila so it’s much easier to send them their pairs,” explained Marissa.

Meanwhile, Skipper said Jancork had no intentions to create trouble.

“It was never his intention to disparage the NBTC management. He was just frustrated with the game and nothing more,” said Skipper.