Romwel Anzures

San Sebastian College head coach Rob Labagala in NCAA Season 101. Photo by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.

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ABS-CBN News

<div style="line-height:1.5"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761725135340IMG_8204.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="San Sebastian College head coach Rob Labagala in NCAA Season 101. Photo by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">San Sebastian College head coach Rob Labagala in NCAA Season 101. <em>Photo by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.</em></span></span></span> MANILA — San Sebastian College ended a five-game slump in NCAA Season 101 on Wednesday, a development that is welcomed greatly — to say the least — for the struggling Golden Stags.<br/><br/>Jhuniel Dela Rama drained the game-winning deuce to stun his ex-team Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 82-81, but this win was more than an emotional victory for Baste whose setbacks are not only on the hardwood as it also put some life to a team which was “fighting for their lives.”</div><div style="line-height:1.5"><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/10/29/ncaa-dela-rama-stuns-ex-team-as-stags-extinguish-letran-s-hot-streak-1332">READ: Dela Rama stuns ex-team as Stags extinguish Letran’s hot streak</a></div><p style="line-height:1.5">“We have four months na walang salary at allowance, but we continue to fight. Pero it’s not only about fighting sa court, we&#x27;re also fighting for life,” revealed first-year Stags coach Rob Labagala.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">The former Barangay Ginebra guard was named as the new mentor of San Sebastian last March, and this was one of the first moves that the school made under their new backer, the Jackson Chua-led Starhorse Group.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">However, Labagala shared that things quickly started to show some cracks even before Season 101 started.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“One or two months nung start meron, tapos mga four or five months wala,” said Labagala, who added how he, his assistants, his players, and their respective families were also affected by this revelation.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">Dela Rama also provided their perspective as players.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“Bagsak po. Bagsak talaga, walang lakas, wala na kaming makain minsan,” said the 6-foot-2 rookie. “Hiram-hiram na lang kami. Si coach Rob, nagbibigay pa samin ng pangpatustos. Pero naiintindihan namin kung ‘di siya makapagbigay kasi may pamilya pa rin siya.”</p><p style="line-height:1.5">Labagala said that the school itself has done its part to support and provide for the whole squad, albeit limited, but as for Starhorse and its backing, he can only share so much.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“Hindi na-deliver ng tama,” he said. “Sad to say they weren’t able to deliver. I hope they deliver. Sana ma-bless siya kasi mab-bless din kami. But currently, that’s our status.”</p><p style="line-height:1.5">Meanwhile, the school aired its side on the situation through a separate statement, refuting Labagala&#x27;s allegations.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“Out of respect for the truth, I wish to clarify that all our coaches and staff have been receiving their monthly salaries faithfully and on time. As a Catholic educational institution, we are guided by truth,” College President Fr. Rafael B. Pecson, OAR, said.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“We understand that emotions can sometimes lead to statements made in haste or frustration, but such moments call us not to anger, but to understanding and dialogue,” he added.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">The Starhorse Group has yet to respond to Labagala&#x27;s claim.</p><div style="line-height:1.5"><br/></div><div style="line-height:1.5"><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABqBldaGxzcJK-PV"></script>

<p>#NCAASeason101 || “We have four months na walang salary at allowance, but we continue to fight. Pero it’s not only about fighting sa court, we're also fighting for life,” revealed first-year Stags coach Rob Labagala.</p>

#NCAASeason101 || “We have four months na walang salary at allowance, but we continue to fight. Pero it’s not only about fighting sa court, we're also fighting for life,” revealed first-year Stags coach Rob Labagala.

NCAA: San Sebastian players, coaches facing 4-month salary, allowance delay — ‘We’re also fighting for life’

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NCAA: San Sebastian players, coaches facing 4-month salary, allowance delay — ‘We’re also fighting for life’

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 29, 2025 04:35 PM PHT

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Updated Oct 29, 2025 07:34 PM PHT

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Basketball

NCAA

ABSSports

NCAA Season 101

NCAA Basketball

San Sebastian Golden Stags

Starhorse Basilan

Rob Labagala

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