Troy Rike’s Departure: A Reflection of the PBA’s Salary Problem
Troy Rike’s decision to leave the PBA may not have made headlines when it happened, but looking back, it paints a concerning picture of the league’s financial structure. Despite being a skilled 6-foot-7 big man, Rike walked away from professional basketball in the Philippines—not because of injuries, lack of opportunities, or waning passion, but simply because the pay wasn’t enough.
This isn’t just about one player leaving. This is an indictment of the PBA’s inability to compete financially with other opportunities.
A Salary That Doesn’t Match the Grind
According to multiple sources, Rike was earning P125,000 a month after taxes during his stint with NorthPort. That may sound decent to an average employee, but for a professional athlete whose career lifespan is uncertain, it’s nowhere near enough.
Compare that to his post-basketball life: Rike now runs a successful content creation business in San Francisco, bringing in earnings far exceeding his PBA salary. His decision to leave wasn’t because he lacked talent—he just found a much better financial future elsewhere.
This echoes similar concerns raised by PBA players in the past. Whether it’s Terrence Romeo previously flirting with overseas leagues, Kiefer Ravena and Ray Parks Jr. opting for Japan’s B.League, or more recently, Dave Ildefonso struggling to secure a contract with NorthPort, the trend is clear: The PBA isn’t paying enough to retain talent.
Déjà Vu: The PBA Hasn’t Learned Its Lesson
Rike left the PBA two years ago. Yet, here we are in 2024, and nothing has changed.
The league hasn’t made any adjustments to ensure that homegrown talent gets paid competitively compared to other leagues in Japan, Korea, or even regional pro leagues.
The most frustrating part? Rike was exactly the type of player the PBA should have kept.
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Filipino-American with size (6’7”)
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Skilled stretch big (20 points, 6 threes in just his second game)
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Marketable, intelligent, and well-spoken
Had he played for a richer team, maybe he would have stayed. But even that thought—that players need to join an SMC or MVP team to have a better financial future—is part of the bigger issue in the PBA.
Troy Rike Is Not Coming Back
Now at 29 years old, running a successful business, and still involved in basketball through the WNBA’s New York Liberty and Golden State Valkyries, it’s safe to say Troy Rike will never return to the PBA. He has no regrets and has built a life that no local professional contract could match.
The PBA has already lost multiple top talents to foreign leagues—but the fact that a player like Rike simply walked away due to low salaries is an alarming sign that the league is falling behind. If the PBA does not address this issue soon, more players will follow suit.
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